business improvement district

The BID Board reviewed the 2026 operating plan and Main Street budget; discussion included a projected 2026 budget deficit tied in part to Room Tax support dropping from $12,000 to $6,000 and difficulty securing sponsorships.

Board members questioned discrepancies in 2024 historical numbers; the discrepancies were attributed to a reconciliation that year.

The BID Board discussed BID boundaries that have not changed since 1997 and noted mismatches where some businesses that benefit from Main Street activity (or want to contribute) are outside the district.

The BID Board directed Community Development staff and Main Street to develop BID boundary alternatives, with a joint meeting with the Main Street board planned for May and City Council expected to take up the issue in 2026.

The BID Board voted 7-0 to keep the 2026 BID assessment rate unchanged at $1.77 per $1,000 of assessed value, with an estimated $55,000 to support Main Street.

City Council adopted a resolution approving the BID levy and setting the 2026 BID assessment rate at $1.77 per $1,000 of assessed value on a 9-0 vote.

City Council’s item summary noted the BID Board scheduled a May 2026 meeting to consider updating the BID boundary map, described as the first potential boundary change since the district was established in 1996.

Plan Commission received an update that Main Street is drafting a historic preservation ordinance expected to come to the Plan Commission in April or May; the update noted this could affect downtown building changes in the Main Street overlay area.

The BID Board discussed a possible BID boundary expansion and the idea that spreading the assessment across more properties could lower what some businesses pay.

General public input was taken during the BID review period; multiple attendees questioned the BID’s value, debated whether boundaries should be more restrictive or expanded, and asked for Main Street Board involvement at a future meeting.

After public concerns and acknowledging the boundary map was not clear enough, the BID Board voted to revisit the boundaries at a future meeting rather than sending a recommendation to the Plan Commission and City Council.