LID sees revenue growth in first half of 2019

Niwot LID advisory committee held its monthly meeting on Sept. 4.

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Bruce Rabeler presented the LID’s latest revenue report from Boulder County, which showed that the district has collected $92,571 in revenues through June 2019, up 3% from the same period in 2018 ($89,844).  However, the growth was concentrated in just a few sectors, most notably retail, where revenues were up nearly 7% (to $36,131 from $33,842). Revenues were down for the Accommodation/Food Service (to $32,937 from $33,575, or -1.9%) and Professional/Tech sectors. 

Rabeler reported the LID has approved $127,266.79 in expenses through the end of August, including amounts approved in August of $1,071 for Dancing Under the Stars and $6,500 for Enchanted Evening. With September’s pending requests, the total rises to $138.586.79, about $5,700 over the LID’s 2019 budget. However,the year-to-date figure was later revised to $126,086.79, after an error in the report came to light.

Funding Requests

The LID fielded two funding requests for the month, the first from Pat Murphy of Niwot Real Estate on behalf of the Niwot Business Association, who asked for $3,640 for expenses related to the Great Pumpkin Party. 

Now in its 26th year, the 2019 event is slated for Saturday, Oct. 26, and will feature carriage rides, a haunted house, and a trick-or-treat parade through Cottonwood Square and Old Town. Murphy estimates the Halloween celebration will attract nearly 1,000 visitors to the town’s business districts

“It’s a great event,” LID member Mary Coonce said. “It brings a lot of people into Niwot, and the nice thing is, it brings a lot of people into businesses.” 

Murphy’s budget for this year’s event is about 10% higher than in 2018 ($3,335) due to additional costs for security and entertainers. After a brief discussion, her request was approved unanimously. 

Keeping on the holiday theme, the night’s second request came from Chuck Klueber, head of the Niwot Business Association’s Streetscapes committee, who requested $7,680 for Christmas decorations and lighting, the same amount as in 2018. This projected budget includes lighting and installation services for selected trees in Whistle Stop Park and along 2nd Avenue, as well lighted snowflakes on 30 lampposts in Old Town. Installation will take place the week before Enchanted Evening, which is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 29. Bucking tradition, this year’s request did not generate much discussion, and was approved unanimously.

Old Business

There was no new business, but in old business, Postle updated the committee about efforts to build a permanent concession stand in Whistle Stop Park. Plans for the small structure are currently being reviewed by the Boulder County land use staff, which is going about as well as usual, according to Postle.

“It’s been kind of an arm wrestle for the last month to get lighting over the line area so that people can check IDs. ...We were told no, but today we did just hear that we would be allowed the dark-sky compliant lighting for the concessions line.”

 With that hurdle cleared, Postle said she is expecting formal approval of the full plans in the next month. 

The meeting wrapped up after some information discussion about 2nd Avenue real estate, new development processes in the wake of the updated land use code and the process for making a supplemental budget request to cover any potential budget overrides. 

The committee will meet next at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at the Mountain View Fire Station.