What is a Bid Improvement District? (BID)

A BID serves as an assessment tool that allows commercial properties located within a specific geographic area to fund programs aimed at the promotion, management, maintenance and development of that business district.*

How do BIDs Work?
A BID authorizes (in coordination with the local unit of government) an ongoing special assessment that is used to implement various programs and activities outlined in an annual “operating” plan.
These special assessments are restricted to commercial and industrial properties. (tax-exempt or residential properties are not assessed even though they may be located in the boundaries of the BID)*

How are BIDs Administered?
State statutes require that a Board of Directors (with a minimum of 5 members) be responsible for BID oversight. The majority of these members must be owners or occupants of property within the District. The Mayor appoints the members of the BID Board. Statewide, the average BID Board size is 15 members. (Shawano’s BID #1 board has 8 members.)*
*Center for Community& Economic Development/University of Wisconsin Extension

Allowable BID Expenditures?
Expenditures must be related to the “promotion, management, maintenance and development” as outlined in the annual operating plan.*

Where are BIDs Found?
Nationwide:
• over 1,200 BIDs operating across the country
• every state in the country has some type of special
assessment district structure

In Wisconsin:
• 86 BIDs have been established in Wisconsin since 1984 (83 currently operating)
• found in communities of all sizes
• approximately one-third of Wisconsin’s current Main Street communities are supported in whole or in part through BID funding
• Levy rate based on a property’s assessed value

How are Assessments Levied?
Average statewide levy for this method is $4.26 per $1,000 of assessed value. (The current assessment rate for Shawano is $2.50 per thousand.)
• Levy rate based on a property’s lineal or square footage
• Combination of property assessed value and square footage
• Tiered assessments or flat rates*

Statewide BID Basics
• Statewide, the average BID encompasses property valued at not quite a half million dollars (479,832,511)The average BID operating budget is $216,874
• (Shawano’s is $45,453.38)
• Almost 85% of BIDs hire full or part-time staff to help manage BID programs and activities.*
*Center for Community& Economic Development/University of Wisconsin Extension

Shawano’s BID I
History & Background
• Established in 1988
• Encompasses 133 tax parcels with about 95 businesses
• Administered by an eight member board
Proposed expansion would add 33 tax parcels with about 25 businesses.

Shawano BID I
Partnerships, Programs and Activities
Resource sharing:
• City of Shawano
• Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce
• SCEPI
• UW Extension/Shawano County Community Development

Programs and Activities:
• Historic Restoration through Façade Grants
• Events and Promotions
• Monthly Radio Program
• Seasonal Events

Web Site:
For more information on the Shawano BID and the Shawano Downtown Business Association and their events, visit us on our web site: www.hookedonshawano.com