Linden special improvement district budget approved amid questions over event spending

The Linden City Council approved the 2025-26 Special Improvement District (SID) budget on May 20 after a brief public hearing that included questions from business owners and residents about staffing costs and event spending.

Felipe Cabezza, speaking for the SID, presented the fiscal year budget and line items, saying salary and wages total $94,000; marketing and supplies $14,000; utilities and leases about $32,800; and special projects such as the city's “Outdoor Dining Day” budgeted for $10,000. Cabezza told council that the total SID budget for July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 would be about $184,147 (presentation wording: “a total of $30,347 to bring equals to a 184,000 a $147”).

Public commenters pressed the SID about specific line items and perceived inconsistencies in budget papers. Craig Halloran asked whether the SID had attempted to recover $25,000 of lost funding tied to a Clark property transfer; Cabezza replied that he had spoken with the developer and was told the developer would reimburse a one-time $25,000 loss ("he assured me that he will reimburse us with those $25,000 that we lost").

John Kaiser, a resident who reviewed SID documents, flagged apparent discrepancies in the budget paperwork for signage and entertainment. He questioned a $1,700 payment for a "house music" DJ and compared it to the prior $600 rate paid to a prior contractor, and he asked whether signage amounts were $6,003 or another figure shown in a different packet. Kaiser said, “So why are we paying a Thursday night house party $1,700 for a few hours when Mike Bono, your predecessor, did $600?” Cabezza responded that event costs have risen and that the SID combined several events into planned programming that includes House Music, Comedy Night and festival costs.

Resident Ed Kaminski and others urged the SID and city to prioritize public safety and downtown cleanliness over entertainment costs. Kaminski told the council that downtown businesses had complained about low evening foot traffic and suggested improving security and weekend cleanup to support merchants.

Council members moved to close the hearing and adopt the SID budget; the council recorded the motion and adopted the budget on roll call. Mayor Derek Armstead and other council members also promoted the first summer outdoor dining event on June 6 (05:00 to 09:30 p.m.) to encourage foot traffic and said the city would expedite outdoor dining permits.

Why it matters: The SID budget funds downtown marketing, events and streetscape work intended to increase foot traffic and business activity. Questions from residents and business owners about event vendor costs and signage highlight local concerns over how downtown promotional dollars are used and whether they produce measurable business benefits.

Council and SID representatives said they will continue outreach to downtown merchants and monitor event outcomes.