A hot button topic on the agenda for Lawrence City Commissioners tonight. KLWN’s Jill Nado explains.

The commissioners are going to talk about embracing or rejecting what are called community improvement districts. Once a district is set up, retailers in that district charge an extra one or two percent on all items sold. That money can go to improve public roads or sidewalks or it can go to private improvements, like store expansions or for marketing the district. Some lawmakers frown on the idea of higher taxes on anything, especially in this shaky economy. Others see it as a chance to make serious capitol improvements, both public and private.