PORT ANGELES — The annual assessment paid by downtown businesses for parking and business improvement efforts will double over the next three years.
The City Council unanimously approved the increase in the PBIA — Parking and Business Improvement Area — assessment at its Tuesday night meeting.
The increase was requested by the board of directors of the Port Angeles Downtown Association, which manages the PBIA.
The city collects the money for the downtown association as a yearly tax.
It is the first increase in the assessment since 1990.
The PBIA was created in 1985 as a means of self-taxation by downtown businesses.
The PBIA owns, operates and maintains several downtown parking areas that allow businesses to meet the city’s off-street parking requirements.
Arla Holzschuh, executive director of the downtown association, said the increase was necessary to fund projects that promote the downtown area.