West Bend City BID board reviews 2026 operating plan, keeps $10,000 marketing line

The West Bend City Business Improvement District board on Tuesday, Aug. 26, held a special meeting to refine its operating plan and budget for 2026, keeping the marketing line at $10,000 and discussing several targeted changes to lights, decorations and downtown landscaping funding.

Board members and city staff said the BID’s primary revenue is the assessment for 2026, which was estimated in the meeting materials at about $113,000 to $114,000. Staff presented a more detailed breakdown of previously high-level budget categories and asked the board for guidance on several discretionary items, including marketing, lights and decorations, ornament replacement, façade grants, landscaping and water billing for downtown irrigation.

The marketing line remains at $10,000. Board members said that, because the downtown association already maintains a social media presence and promotes events, BID marketing could either partner with that group or be used for small business workshops and direct member support. Several board members favored keeping the $10,000 allocation and developing a clearer plan later in the year. “$10,000 is a lot of money,” one board member said; the group agreed staff should present concrete options in November.

Lighting and decoration…