Belt tightening in BID's future
—Photo by AARON HOROWITZ Rainbow flora captured on sidewalk at the corner of N. Third Avenue and Main Street, courtesy of the Sandpoint Business Improvement District.
SANDPOINT -- Belt tightening is in BID's future, according to the proposed budget for fiscal year 2016-2017 presented for City Council approval Wednesday.
The budget, submitted by Kate McAlister of the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce and Kim Queen, BID director, calls for a $20,000 reduction in funding from the Sandpoint Urban Renewal Agency.
"A business improvement district is a public/private partnership in which property and/or business owners have elected to make a collective contribution to the maintenance, development and promotion of their commercial district," according to BID information.
The non-profit group organizes events, beautifies the area with seasonal decorations such as fresh flower baskets and promotes downtown businesses through marketing outreach. Businesses within the BID boundaries contribute a quarterly fee based on the net square footage of their establishments, according to the BID website. The boundaries are Superior to Larch streets and First to Fourth avenues.
Similar to last year's budget, BID plans to apply $98,000 of its expected income to pay for expenses.
However, while last year's tally sheet took into account a $45,000 grant from SURA, the new budget is counting on just $25,000 in SURA support.
The organization has shaved $1,500 from its administrative expenses for the upcoming year by reducing its technology spending and outlay for office supplies. In addition, the BID budget calls for paring down advertising as well as event expenses.
It shows zero expenditures for Oktoberfest, whereas last year, the organization budgeted $8,500 for the autumn event. Holidays in Sandpoint, Summer Sounds, Winter Carnival, the Wooden Boat Show, Artwalk and Summer Sampler will all receive slightly smaller allotments from the BID budget for FY 2016-2017.
According to documents in the City Council packet, BID's goals and objectives for the upcoming year continue to be downtown revitalization and cultivating year-round prosperity within Sandpoint's business district.
"BID governing body and staff will continue to improve communication through personal contacts, group work sessions, public relations articles, electronic communication and other means with the BID members. (It will) encourage BID member participation at publicly held events and forums, and through cooperative advertising opportunities," according to the documents.