Council agrees to seek short‑term support while exploring longer plan for Downtown Vacaville BID

The Vacaville City Council on April 22 told staff to identify roughly $75,000 in near‑term support to keep the Downtown Vacaville Business Improvement District (DVBID) operating while the city and BID work toward a more durable funding and governance plan.

At a follow‑up presentation from BID leadership, executive director Lehi Silber and board president Adena Schwarzberger outlined three scenarios: a modest continuation of current services using the $150,000 fee‑for‑service fund the city already designates; an additional $75,000 this fiscal year to prevent the BID from drawing further on emergency loans and to maintain operations; or a larger, multi‑year funding commitment to implement a Main Street four‑point revitalization approach. "The 75,000 in additional funding that we're requesting for fiscal year 24‑25 is to keep us afloat," Silber said.

BID leadership said the organization needs a multi‑year funding solution to recruit staff, implement downtown design and promotion programs and secure additional non‑assessment revenue. Silber suggested a hybrid model in which the city would hire the BID executive director as a city employee (freeing the BID budget for program work) while the BID board retained governance and fundraising responsibilities.

Council members and members of the public discussed tradeoffs between a short‑term subsidy and long‑term sustainability. Downtown business owners and workers described the BID as an important local promoter and manager of downtown events and marketing; some business owners urged continued city support to preserve momentum. Others on the council stressed limited city finances and asked staff to identify funding sources and specific deliverables.

After public comment, the council voted to instruct staff to find and propose a near‑term sum of approximately $75,000 to keep the BID operational to the end of the current fiscal year, and to return to council with a timetable and options for a special study session that would identify longer‑term governance and funding ideas. The motion passed on a voice vote; council asked staff to report back at the next regular meeting with details about the funding source and the cost implications to the city budget.

City staff said the existing $150,000 fee‑for‑service allocation is in the economic development budget and can support some level of BID activity but does not cover the full scope the BID seeks. Staff committed to work with the BID to estimate exact short‑term needs and to propose a date for a focused meeting on BID structure, funding alternatives (including extension of the district boundary, revenue‑share models, or partnerships with Visit Vacaville), and specific performance expectations.

The council did not commit to any multi‑year funding tonight. Several council members suggested a four‑month runway and a clear work plan so elected officials and downtown stakeholders can evaluate a path to a self‑sustaining downtown organization.