Council approves Sandpoint BID

SANDPOINT — Council members authorized the Sandpoint Business Improvement District last week for another year of operation under Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce.  

Sandpoint BID manager Kim Queen and Greater Sandpoint Chamber president Kate McAlister requested approval of a $143,000 budget to use on downtown events, promotional advertising, beautification programs and more. The final budget comes from the year’s estimated $98,000 in collections from the improvement district and a $45,000 grant from the Sandpoint Urban Renewal Agency.

“I have some reservations, but I think I think you should have a chance to work things out over the coming year,” Councilman Bob Camp said.

Accompanying the budget request was a 2014-2015 plan complete with objectives and project goals for the coming year. These include collaboration with the city and SURA on revitalization projects, the development of a five-year strategic plan, refining the BID membership database and working with Visit Sandpoint to enhance out-of-area advertising.

At the council meeting, McAlister said that, since funding comes primarily from a monthly assessment on downtown businesses, the BID has its share of opponents — a fact one speaker observed during a meeting.  

“(He said), ‘Ten percent love you and are quiet, 10 percent hate you and are the ones that scream the loudest and 80 percent don’t really care and pay the tax,” McAlister said.

However, the information they spread about the BID is often inaccurate, she added. That includes claims that the BID budget almost entirely goes to salaries and the chamber’s administration fee, when instead, about 30 percent of the budget is dedicated to overhead. Similarly, she said the chamber’s administration fee is a standard practice for any arrangement that tasks the chamber’s employees, including the management of a state tourism grant.

Since the BID transitioned into an internal organization sharing resources and office space with the chamber, McAlister said management made several improvements, including establishing a more thorough record-keeping and database system. In addition, a new, up-to-date website is on the way — a goal initially set last year.

“With the exception of the website, every single one of our deliverables have been met,” McAlister said.

  In response to council questions, McAlister and Queen said moving the BID under the chamber has brought savings by eliminating office rental and utility payments, a part-time position and more. While some budget items increased due to expenses like an office cellphone and website construction, McAlister and Queen said the expenses should result in more efficient service for BID members.