OXNARD : Business Assessment District Considered

The Oxnard City Council today will consider the formation of a business assessment district to revamp its beleaguered Visitors and Convention Bureau, which had its budget slashed from $400,000 to $60,000 last year as a result of the city’s financial crisis.

The business district would include about 90 establishments in the Channel Islands Harbor area and the Ventura Freeway corridor. The district would raise about $200,000 and the city would contribute an unspecified amount, Community Services Director James Faulconer said.

The council will vote today on whether to appoint an advisory board composed of local business leaders to study the possibility of forming the district.

“With the council’s approval, we can proceed to keep a viable conventions and visitors bureau and develop a funding mechanism,” City Manager Vern Hazen said.