Webster Business Commission approves FY2026 budget, accepts scope-of-work; business-license revenue shortfall noted

The Webster Business Commission approved its FY2026 budget and accepted a detailed scope-of-work document during a meeting where commissioners flagged a shortfall in business-license revenue and debated several one-time funding requests.

Commission chair Dave Smith said the commission approved the budget after agreeing to move several line items forward as special requests to city council and to draw on district reserves if needed. The vote to accept the scope of work and the motion to approve the budget passed by voice vote; the transcript does not record a roll-call tally.

Why it matters: The budget sets discretionary funding for decorative street amenities, maintenance and special events and determines whether the commission will request additional city funds for rooftop lighting and signage. Commissioners identified business-license renewals and delayed receipts as the primary reason for narrower revenues in recent years.

Budget numbers and revenue context Gregory Donovan, who presented the budget worksheet and historical revenue data to the commission, said the working revenue figure used in…