Revenues continue to climb in Niwot LID

At its first monthly meeting of 2022 on Jan. 12, the Niwot Local Improvement District advisory committee approved two funding requests from the Niwot Business Association, heard an update about the parking lot, and discussed the final version of the 2021 strategic plan.

Treasurer's Report

After September's record-high revenues of $29,164, the LID's collections "settled" to a more normal $22,790 in October 2021, treasurer Bruce Rabeler told the board in his January report. Still, that was more than 30% higher than the October 2020 total ($17,233). It also brings the year to date total to $214,226, a 23.8% increase over the same period in 2020 ($173,015), and higher than the year's total revenues of $213,333.

As for district expenses in the new year, through the end of December, the board has approved $20,437 in disbursements, or nearly 12% of its $170,666 allocation for 2022. However, $2,453.21 was for Let's Wine About Winter, which has been canceled.

Rabeler also noted that there is a gap of $43,298 between 2021 funding approvals and disbursements from Boulder County, putting the LID's actual expenditures for the year at $159,169 to date. Organizations and vendors have until Jan. 20 to submit their expenses for reimbursement from the LID's 2021 allocation. Rabeler does expect some of the money approved for the parking lot will roll into 2022.

Funding Requests

NBA Vice President Deborah Read Fowler requested $2,706.25 for the upcoming Apres Ski event, slated for downtown Niwot on Jan. 29. Expenses include advertising, signage, a horse and carriage, and rental fees for the Left Hand Grange. The request was approved unanimously.

Up next was Eric Bergeson, appearing on behalf of the NBA streetscapes committee, with a request for $16,000 to cover various maintenance expenses expected around the district in 2022, such as tree care, parking lot upkeep, snow removal, and utility payments, as well as general repairs. The request was approved unanimously.

Old Business

None of the members brought up any new business, so Bergeson also updated the board on the construction of the public parking lot on the west side of Niwot, a project that has been delayed for several months. Fortunately, many of the issues causing the delay have been resolved, leaving only the installation of solar lights remaining. Provided there are no more delays, the lot should be open to vehicles in the next few weeks.

The members also discussed the lot's electric charging stations, and how those will be managed. Bergeson and other NBA executives are working on guidelines.

The group then moved on to the five-year update of Niwot's strategic plan, which has been underway since October. After a prolonged discussion about the committee's role in the community, the members finalized several sections of the pla, then agreed to finish at their next monthly meeting, with a release date after that.

The next monthly meeting of the LID board is Tuesday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m.