Friendswood Downtown EDC reports healthy December balance, places holiday-decorations item on February agenda

The Friendswood Downtown Economic Development Corporation reviewed its December financial report and instructed staff to place a separate agenda item on the February meeting to consider purchasing holiday decorations for the new downtown light poles.

City staff presented December 2024 figures that the board was told reflect October revenues. Steven (city staff) said the report showed a beginning fund balance of $3,015,018 and a larger-than-typical reported revenue of $109,458; staff said they would verify whether that revenue is correctly recorded and might need to be returned if later assigned to another jurisdiction. Staff reported December expenditures of about $121,064, mainly for the downtown lighting project and staff costs, and an ending fund balance just over $3 million with an unencumbered balance of $2,370,225.

During the report a board member noted a social-media question asking why new street lights were not illuminated during the holidays. The member asked staff to put an agenda item on the February meeting to consider purchasing holiday decorations and to identify funding or a sponsoring organization. Chair (Friendswood Downtown Economic Development Corporation) confirmed the item will be on the February agenda as a workshop item, and staff agreed to include several funding scenarios, including possible coordination with Keep Friendswood Beautiful.

No formal vote was taken on purchases at this meeting; the board directed staff to prepare the agenda item and cost scenarios for the February meeting so members can decide whether to authorize purchase or fund a third-party sponsor.