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BID to confirm holiday contractor and consider reallocating leftover decoration funds to summer projects; marketing plan to follow strategic survey
Summary
The West Bend BID asked staff to confirm a contractor price for holiday decorations, explore off‑season purchases for savings and consider directing any savings to expand summer hanging baskets beyond Main Street; the board also asked staff to align marketing spending with the strategic plan.
Board members instructed staff to confirm the contractor for the 2025 downtown Christmas tree and decorations, investigate whether wreaths and seasonal items can be purchased off‑season for savings, and consider using any leftover holiday funds to expand summer landscaping beyond Main Street.
John said the decorations line in the budget had historically covered tree installation and wreaths; late‑season purchases are typically more expensive and purchasing after the season can save money. A board member recommended the existing contractor be contacted for a 2025 price and that any savings might be redirected toward additional hanging baskets south of Walnut or into other summer street beautification in subsequent budget discussions.
On marketing, staff reminded the board of a $10,000 marketing line with limited spending so far (postage and small items). Board members discussed a possible multi‑year marketing roadmap tied to the strategic plan: one year focused on storefronts and retail display help, another year on service businesses, and a third on restaurants or other categories. The board asked staff to re‑circulate the strategic planning survey and suggested using it to inform a three‑year marketing roadmap to be discussed in the August–September budget process.
No formal budget reallocations were made at the meeting; staff will return with contractor pricing, after‑season purchase options and a draft marketing path informed by the strategic‑planning documents.
