DDA Leader Explains Levy Request

The Executive Director of the Cheyenne Downtown Development Authority says the organization is asking to double it's current mill levy in case the city doesn't fund the organization in the future.

Amy Surdam says the DDA wants to make sure it can continue to operate even without funding from the city. She says that's why the organization is asking downtown business property owners to approve a levy of 20 mills in a special election that will likely be held on October 20  (the Cheyenne City Council still has to approve the election and date).

Surdam says the current levy of 10 mills raises about $150,000 per year;. She says doubling that amount allow the DDA to continue operations even without city funding, in case a funding agreement between the DDA and city can't be reached.

Only owners of business property in the downtown district will be eligible to vote in the special election. If they approve the increase it  will begin in 2016 and continue nthrough the three following years.