A Creative Take on Neighborhood Improvement Districts (NID)
Without the creation of the Neighborhood Improvement District Act (Act 130), the Township would have to provide services to support River Pointe Commerce Park and its surrounding service areas, resulting in a potential raise in taxes for Township residents.
The NID is a way for us, the developer, to financially address the impacts that the development will have on the community including fire, security, EMS, roads, and stormwater. It is important to note that the reason the Township Park is included in the NID is so that the NID can provide annual donations to the park for the Upper Mount Bethel Township Parks and Recreation Committee to enhance programming and features and maintain the improvements.
Under the NID, only for-profit properties, including River Pointe Commerce Park and any companies that locate there, will ever pay any fees into the NID. Under the NID ordinance, the district will never be expanded to include property outside of the district. As a non-profit, the Township Park will not pay NID fees.
The proposed NID budget allocates $100,000 a year for Township Parks, Recreation and Culture. These fees will nearly double the budget of the Township, allowing for new community activities without increasing property taxes.
The NID budget provides $2.5 million for public safety and emergency equipment and $150,000 annually for stabilizing the Township’s ability to provide fire and life safety measures for all its residents. Emergency and safety personnel will receive training that will improve their life-saving skills for the community.