Lafayette voters are in favor of creating a new Downtown Development Authority, according to early election results.
About 75.2% of voters were in favor of it, and 24.8% were against it as of 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Lafayette ballot question 6A asks voters if a Downtown Development Authority, a quasi-governmental entity, should be created to help facilitate economic development and redevelopment in downtown Lafayette. Issue 6B — 71.7% of voters were in favor and 28.3% were against as of 8:30 p.m. Tuesday — will allow the Downtown Development Authority to collect revenues in 2025 and each year after.
Lafayette ballot question 6A and ballot issue 6B are only available to Lafayette voters who live or own property in the proposed downtown development authority boundary. Ballot issue 6B only passes if ballot question 6A also passes.
The proposed area includes the commercial area of Old Town, specifically commercial and mixed-use zoned properties along: Baseline Road from U.S. 287 and Gough Street; Public Road from Baseline Road to South Boulder Road; and Simpson Street from Roosevelt Avenue to Michigan Street. The map is available at lafayetteco.gov/4048/Downtown-Development-Authority.
Voter approval of 6A and 6B will not increase any taxes, as the authority will be funded by something called tax increment financing, which generally collects more tax revenues from properties in the district as their values rise. The authority’s revenue stream will be dedicated to support local businesses in the proposed map area and improve and maintain local infrastructure.
About 63.9% of voters were in favor of ballot question 2A on collective bargaining as of 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, and 36.1% of voters were against it.
If approved, ballot question 2A will allow the city council to enact an ordinance by April 1 obligating city officials to engage in collective bargaining negotiations with a police officer bargaining agent about terms and conditions of employment.