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Sanford commissioners weigh $24,000 supplemental funding for Main Street as CRA sunsets
Summary
Staff and Main Street asked the commission to continue $2,000 monthly supplemental funding (roughly $24,000 calendar year) after the CRA sunsets; commissioners asked staff to draft a new funding agreement and return with financial impacts in December or January.
Sanford staff and Main Street leaders asked the commission on Monday to continue short‑term supplemental funding for Sanford Main Street as the city's Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) sunsets at year‑end.
Assistant City Manager Craig Batsack reminded commissioners that the original tri‑party agreement (Sanford Main Street, the city and the CRA) funded a $48,000 base commitment and that CRA sunset procedures will change the funding structure. Staff said the city’s budget includes the base $48,000 but that Main Street is asking for an additional $2,000 per month to keep a part‑time employee and sustain the welcome center and program support.
A Main Street representative described how the June supplemental funds allowed a part‑time hire who covered weekend hours and helped run promotions and the Sanford Sweet Stroll, and said the extra staffing helped coordinate volunteer recruitment and early event planning. “Having the additional funding so I can have some staff to address these issues,” the Main Street representative said, describing the operational benefits of the short‑term support.
Commissioners asked how the additional $24,000 would be funded and discussed possible sources including mayoral discretionary funds, unused line items (for example air show funds), and economic development promotional budgets. Staff said they would draft a two‑party funding agreement to replace the tri‑party agreement and return to the commission with a written funding agreement and a report on Main Street’s operations and fundraising progress.
No vote was taken Monday; staff said they will present a proposed funding agreement and associated financial impacts at an upcoming meeting (staff suggested December or the start of the January regular meeting) to allow the commission to decide how much, if any, supplemental funding to allocate.
