Business Improvement District introduces $320,995.98 2026 budget; director emphasizes outreach and façade grants

The Compton/Pompton Lakes Business Improvement District presented an introduced 2026 budget of $320,995.98 at the borough council meeting on March 11.

Abel Gomez, the BID’s executive director, told the council the budget is conservative and largely in line with last year’s figures. He said the plan includes additional marketing and events and new façade grant funding intended to help merchant upkeep and streetscape improvements. Gomez said the BID has started outreach work, including quarterly business-development meetings to engage merchants and that the BID is planning communications and monthly newsletters to highlight projects and events.

Council members asked about tree maintenance, sidewalk cleaning and snow removal in commercial areas. A council liaison to the Department of Public Works and to the Shade Tree Commission asked the BID to coordinate with borough staff on sidewalk clearing and tree-grate maintenance; Gomez said beautification funding and a tree-trimming/replacement program are part of the BID’s plans and that replacement planting will be scheduled in the fall.

Council moved to introduce the special improvement district budget as a resolution; the clerk announced the budget will be made available at the borough clerk’s office and that a public hearing on the SID budget is scheduled for Aug. 8, 2026 at 7 p.m. The council did not adopt the budget at the meeting; introduction was the formal step initiating the public-notice and hearing process.

Gomez said the BID is updating its website with events, grand openings and merchant resources and is exploring third-party mobile solutions for merchant-facing access to newsletters and event calendars.

Next steps: copies of the budget will be available at the borough clerk’s office and online; taxpayers and interested persons may present objections at the public hearing scheduled for Aug. 8, 2026.