Attached you will find a draft budget for the upcoming fiscal year that includes funds requested to complete projects that each committee has expressed interest in pursuing. As you can see, if we proceed we would be spending $121,800 more than our projected revenue. This would leave us with $410,987 left in cash. If we were to eliminate all expenses related to proposed projects and cut back on other expenses where possible (not affecting commitment to the Chamber for $10,000 nor community events that depend on our financial support) we would still be looking at spending approximately $30,000 more than our projected revenue. Seeking out alternative sources of funding for some of our current programming would be beneficial. Increasing Farmers Market vendor fees and charging businesses to have access to their account on the mobile app are options to increase revenue as well.
Before I left for maternity leave I asked that all committees draft work plans based on the goals set by the DDA Board during the past year as part of the Main Street refresh. While I have received a majority of the workplans already there are still some that need some finishing touches. Completed work plans will be presented to the Board during the January meeting. For now, here is a list of proposed projects, a brief description of them, and the amount of funding requested for each. I've also attached a programming alignment worksheet with the projects listed so that you can see how they fit within the goals set by the board.
Master list of projects for 2018:
Design Committee:
· Façade Grant - $50,000
o Revision guidelines to create two deadlines per year and an approval criteria checklist that members of the Design Committee will use while reviewing applications. This year more points will be given to projects that improve the appearance of the “back end” of our district. Draft revisions will be provided to the DDA Board during January meeting.
· Design Guidelines - $10,000
o This project has been desired by members of the community for a few years now and we have not successfully found a volunteer able to complete the task of creating design guidelines for downtown Charlevoix. The Design committee wishes to hire a professional consultant to complete this task for the city. One proposal that we have received was $10,000.
· Design Services - $0
o Continuing to promote the complimentary Design Service provided by MEDC/Michigan Main Street to property and business owners.
· Pole Banners - $5,000
o Creating designs in line with new branding and ordering new custom decorative pole banners for downtown district
· SBEI Site Design - $4,000
o Continuing to work with MSU Landscape Architecture students and using draft concepts from SBEI to formulate an actual site design of proposed downtown improvements. Cost is affiliated with student travel and required public hearing.
· Tree Light Maintenance - $2,500
o Funds to set aside in the case of currently installed tree lights being damaged/needing to be replaced.
Economic Vitality Committee:
· Recruitment - $1,000
o Funds needed to create/print collateral materials related to business recruitment efforts including business incentive fact sheets, available property sheets, etc.
· Property Inventory - $0
o Continuing to build a more comprehensive property inventory using new program called Maestro (cost is built into DDA operating supplies).
· Hospitality Training - $500
o Host two training sessions at Library in partnership with Chamber, CVB, and Library as an opportunity for employers to get their new and old staff trained in customer service.
Junior Main Street Committee:
· Continued Mobile app maintenance - $750
o Yearly app maintenance fee
· Recycling bins downtown - $5,000
o A grant has been applied for to fund 30 recycling containers for downtown. If the grant is not awarded we have budgeted this amount to kick start downtown recycling.
Organization Committee:
· Volunteer Recruitment - $1,500
o Formalizing volunteer recruitment/retention efforts. Costs affiliated with swag, recruitment materials, and recognition events.
· Newsletter/Communications - $5,000
o Two high-quality print newsletters to be sent to entire community
Promotions Committee:
· Concert/Movie Series - $14,000
o We were under budget this past year but want to increase brand awareness with new title “Live on the Lake”
· Event Support - $10,600
· Restaurant Week (Apr. 15-21st)(Nov 4-10th) – $1,050
o Continuing to build on the momentum of this event
· Live Life Local Campaign - $1,200
o In the past we have not budgeted the prize amounts for this project, hence the larger number this year.