Council presses for tighter oversight of Main Street nonprofit after fundraising and contract questions

Councilors used the budget work session to scrutinize the town’s relationship with Tassel Today (the local Main Street organization) and to press for clearer documentation and procurement when taxpayer funds are involved.

Staff and Tassel Today representatives described the group as a central economic development partner that has handled town events and fundraising. One presenter (S5) explained that the organization’s revenue mix includes fundraising, contributions and grants, and that in 2024 fundraising and contributions accounted for about 20% of the organization’s revenue. Councilors said they were concerned that previous support had been handled informally and sometimes without a signed contract outlining deliverables or procurement steps.

“[The arrangement has been] a handshake agreement,” one councilor said, asking whether the town should instead use a written contract and procurement process to protect taxpayers and clarify responsibilities. Another councilor supported continuing financial support but recommended tightening expectations through a contract or procurement process that would identify required town events, deliverables and oversight benchmarks.

Council and staff discussed accreditation and evaluation criteria used by state Main Street programs; staff offered to arrange a presentation by the state’s representative to explain evaluation metrics and documentation required to maintain the designation. The council asked staff to bring clearer financial summaries (year‑over‑year fundraising, contributions, and operating support) and to examine procurement options before approving further operating contributions.

Next steps: staff will provide a more detailed financial breakdown of Tassel Today’s fundraising versus operating revenue, the Main Street accreditation criteria, and options for a contract or procurement approach that maintains partnership and provides fiscal oversight.