Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Dda Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
DDA adopts FY2025–26 operating budget; board allows limited increase for marketing
Summary
Forest Park Downtown Development Authority approved a relatively flat FY2025–26 operating budget, endorsed staff authority to increase advertising and PR spending up to the previous retainer amount, and recorded modest line-item increases for insurance and professional services.
The Forest Park Downtown Development Authority on July 24 approved its proposed fiscal year 2025–26 operating budget, which staff described as largely flat from the prior year but with targeted increases for advertising, insurance and professional services.
The proposed budget shows operating revenue roughly unchanged from the prior year, staff reported, and a modest reduction in total expenses compared with FY24. Director Dennis told the board that, after completing a rebrand and new collateral, the DDA needs to increase advertising and public relations spending to promote the work.
Why it matters: the DDA’s operating budget funds Main Street events, marketing and professional services used to attract developers and support downtown activity. Board approval gives staff authority to execute the plan and pursue the specified events and contracts.
Finance staff presented the draft. The presenter said last year’s operating revenue was about $3.7 million and the proposed revenue for FY25–26 is about $3.6 million. Staff also reported a reduction in total expenses of about $600,000 compared with the prior year.
Director Dennis asked the board to approve the budget and allow staff to increase the advertising and public-relations line item up to the amount previously paid to the firm that had been on retainer. The board also discussed a modest increase to the insurance line item — staff said the city’s insurance costs rose and the DDA will begin paying its share for facilities the DDA owns — and an increase in professional services tied to expanded events and programming.
Nancy Howard moved to approve the FY2025–26 operating budget with the recommended changes; Jacqueline Faith seconded. The motion passed on roll call with Mayor Angeline Butler, Faith, Nancy Howard and Trey Holland recorded as voting yes.
Details and next steps: staff noted the advertising increase will be capped “not to exceed the amount that we had paid previously” to the retainer firm; staff also said higher professional-services spending is intended to support events that will generate offsetting event revenue. The board directed staff to finalize line-item amounts and proceed with implementation.
Ending: With the budget adopted, staff will return with implementation details and monitor revenues tied to event programming to offset higher professional-services costs.
