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DDA director proposes FY2026 budget with increased TIF revenue, committee allocations and a small discretionary fund
Summary
Director Audrey presented a draft fiscal-year 2026 budget that estimates a $169,000 year-end fund balance, anticipates higher TIF revenues and proposes committee-specific budget carve-outs plus a $1,500 miscellaneous/discretionary line item for the director.
The DDA director presented a draft fiscal-year 2026 budget at the April 23 meeting, outlining projected revenues, planned expenditures and proposed structural changes to how project funds are allocated to standing committees.
Projected balances and revenue
The director estimated an ending balance of roughly $169,000 for the current fiscal year, of which $9,000 is restricted (facade-restoration holdback). She said TIF revenue is expected to increase materially year over year and noted higher-than-expected interest income and a full lease payment from the children's museum (projected $1,600 per month, or just over $19,000 annually).
Proposed expense changes
The draft maintains most current expense lines but proposes several changes: a modest increase in downtown maintenance, a new $1,500 miscellaneous/general discretionary line for the director to cover small, time-sensitive expenses (with a subsequent recommendation to draft a formal purchasing policy), and a larger cushion in building maintenance for 58 West Chicago Street (proposed $10,000 allocation). The director also proposed an explicit allocation of project funding to each standing committee (Design, Economic Vitality, Promotions, Organization) so committees know front-end budgets when planning projects.
Other notes
The director recommended completing a purchasing policy to define transaction limits and reporting for discretionary spending and suggested a May 20 deadline for board feedback on the budget so a revised draft can be presented in May. The board discussed the proposed committee carve-outs and asked staff to circulate the budget materials to members who did not receive them before the meeting.
Why it matters
The budget determines how the DDA will allocate limited funds for downtown maintenance, promotions, grants and public-art programs. The proposed committee allocations are intended to improve planning transparency and empower volunteer committees to scope projects more effectively.
