Does the Benefits District Engage in Taxation without Representation?

 Here is another of the "Other voices from Charles Village", Joan Floyd, Benefits District homeowner:

DOES THE BENEFITS DISTRICT ENGAGE IN TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION?

Because the Board of the Benefits District decides on a surtax rate to submit to the Board of Estimates, and decides how all surtax funds are spent, it’s a very powerful group.  Does it engage in Taxation Without Representation?  This question is on the minds of many.

Perhaps the way to explore the question is to look at how each voting member is placed on the Benefits District Board.  

We would need certain information about each group that is entitled to send a member or members to the Board.  What are the group’s eligibility requirements for membership?  Are there dues to pay?  How many members does the group have?  When the group chooses its Benefits District representative(s), exactly how is that done?    

Once this information appears on the Benefits District’s website, it will be possible to explore the question of Taxation Without Representation.