Downtown district director outlines $50,000 rollover and ambassador plan as committee refers budget

The committee referred item 37188, the New Britain Downtown District proposed budget for fiscal year 2026–2027, to the common council with a neutral recommendation after executive director Miss Bosow presented the district’s operations, finances and proposed programs.

Miss Bosow described the downtown district as a quasi-government entity established about 40–42 years ago that levies a special tax on downtown property owners under state statute. She said the district’s primary activities include placemaking, special events and a "clean and safe" program intended to increase visitation and support downtown businesses.

Explaining a rare $50,000 rollover surplus, Miss Bosow said the funds came from two main sources: salary savings when a part-time event marketing position was not filled, and interest/collections related to a property owner who had been delinquent on downtown district tax payments. "We had a vacancy... and a delinquent owner who was delinquent on his special tax district payment for a very long time," she said. She said the funds would be used mainly to support an ambassador program and clean-and-safe efforts.

Committee members probed staffing and compensation. Miss Bosow said the FY2027 budget anticipates three part-time positions: the director (she is on a two-year contract), a deputy director (posted at $50,000–$70,000) and an admin/hourly role (under $15,000). She said she will reduce her hours as she expects a child and that the board will decide contract renewals; she agreed to provide a profit-and-loss statement and a staff-salary breakdown to the council in advance of the next meeting.

On program specifics, the director said the ambassador program is budgeted at $53,000 on the draft but she projects costs may reach roughly $65,000. She also described signature events (safe trick-or-treat, tree lighting, Main Street socials) and said the district purchased digital kiosks (about $1,200 each) placed at the public library and the museum of American art.

Committee members asked about the mechanics of funding: under state statute the city acts as tax collector for the district; the director requests funds twice a year from finance and coordinates transfers. Members requested the district provide expense details and staffing breakdown by the Wednesday council packet.

The committee carried the motion to refer the budget with a neutral recommendation. The director said she would provide the requested documents.