Stafford EDC approves budget amendment, raises professional services budget and authorizes water‑fountain and street project steps

Stafford Economic Development Corporation board members took several formal budget and project actions at their July 22 meeting, voting to amend the current fiscal year’s budget, increase a professional services line for FY2026 planning work, and authorize steps toward a water‑fountain replacement project and a broad street‑improvement program.

Why it matters: the votes change how SEDC will allocate resources for near‑term planning and capital work and set the agency up to advertise and hold public hearings on two projects (a fountain replacement program and a street program) that the board said are intended to support business corridors and public amenities.

Budget and transfers discussed

Staff presented a preliminary FY2026 budget and proposed transfers: $1,400,000 to the Stafford Center for capital needs; $1,825,000 into the capital projects fund (staff indicated the president’s direction was to earmark $1,500,000 of that for land acquisition and $325,000 for street repair); and $220,000 to the city to fund the economic development director’s cost. Staff also recommended a continuation of administrative services fees and noted the general fund revenue projection for FY2026 of about $6.9 million.

Board act…