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West Bend board reviews financial report, celebrates tree lighting and approves BID sponsorship for winter-arts program
Summary
At the Nov. 12 City of West Bend board meeting, staff presented a financial update noting a Blingle sponsorship that covered most costs of the downtown tree lighting and a grant reimbursement for EV charging stations. The board approved a $525 BID sponsorship for an ice-sculpture in the Winter Warm Up event and approved the minutes and financial
City staff and downtown representatives told the City of West Bend board on Nov. 12 that recent downtown events drew thousands and that sponsorships and grant reimbursements covered most event costs.
Carissa (finance staff) reported that Blingle sponsored the downtown tree lighting and "covered pretty much all of the costs of the event." Carissa also said the board’s budget shows an encumbrance of $20,000 for the Blingle contract to set up and later take down decorations. She said the recent EV charging-station line on the report represents grant reimbursement dollars submitted and received for the charging stations.
Leona, speaking for the Bend Theater, and Noelle of the Downtown Association summarized recent and upcoming events: the tree lighting (about 2,300 attendees), multiple sold‑out shows at the theater, Midnight on Main (Dec. 6), three Merry and Great Shopping Nights (Dec. 5, 12 and 19), and the Winter Warm Up weekend in January, which includes ice sculptures and a central family program. Leona said the theater’s New Year’s Eve program remains a ticketed event but she is seeking sponsors to make a community open event.
The board approved a motion from the Business Improvement District to sponsor an ice-sculpture at the Winter Warm Up. The board voted in favor after a motion and second; the stated sponsorship amount for the BID was $525. The board also approved the minutes from the Oct. 1 meeting and the financial report for the current period.
On façade grants, staff reported that an awarded façade grant to recipient Mike Hussar remains encumbered and was not dispersed because the project was not completed; staff said the recipient would likely need to reapply next year if the work is not finished. Carissa said a $3,000 shortfall on the overall budget reflected replacement purchases of damaged wreaths earlier in the year; she characterized the net position as manageable given the Blingle sponsorship and grant reimbursements.
Why it matters: The report shows downtown events drawing substantial attendance and relying on a mix of private sponsorship and grant reimbursements to cover municipal costs; the board committed a modest BID sponsorship to Winter Warm Up and left several operational follow-ups to staff.
Ending: Staff said they will continue to coordinate downtown event logistics with the public works crew and downtown association; board members asked to be informed about strategic-survey timing early in the new year.
