LID approves funding for admin position and marketing plan

Niwot’s Local Improvement Advisory Committee (LID) approved two funding requests from the Niwot Business Association that represent major shifts in the NBA’s administrative and marketing plans.

Niwot Administrative Coordinator

The NBA presented a request for funding for a new Niwot Administrative Coordinator position, asking for $14,400 through the end of the year. “This part-time contract position is responsible for coordinating and executing various activities and tasks required to properly develop, maintain and promote the Niwot business district,” according to the funding request.

NBA President and LID member Eric Bergeson noted that the NBA no longer has an Economic Development Director contract position, which was previously filled by Catherine McHale, and that funds which would have gone to that position in the past are proposed to be used for more administrative help to assist with the many events put on by the NBA and other organizations throughout the year.

“This contract position will work 40 hours per month and report directly to the NBA Board of Directors,” the application stated, noting that the position would pay $45 per hour based on a flexible 40-hour per month work schedule. “The position will also coordinate with the other Niwot community organizations to help ensure smooth planning and execution of the various events and activities that take place in the business district.”

Kathy Koehler, who is president of the Niwot Historical Society and also serves on the board of the Niwot Community Association, asked if the position was posted. Bergeson responded that a well-qualified candidate had already been identified by the NBA Executive Board. “I feel like we lose a lot of time if we open it up,” he said. The proposed start date is May 8, 2023 according to the application.

LID member Heidi Storz asked if the person would be available to other Niwot organizations, and Bergeson responded, “The intention is that it's not NBA exclusive.” LID member Jeff Knight said he hoped the position would result in more coordination between groups.

Storz moved to approve the request, with the caveat that this would be a “trial run” and that the job description be broadened to include other groups. “We could get all these people working together,” she said. “It’s like having an administrative professional for Niwot.” LID member Lisa Rivard seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

NBA Marketing Plan

The NBA also presented a request for funding of $40,489.88 for a marketing budget. The request included $6,000 for a social media coordinator; $6,600 for email communications and website updates, which are handled by contractor Alicia Zamora; and $6,460 for the Website Redesign Project, also paid to Zamora and Apricity for photography and design.

Other budget items included $7,720 for 21 full page ads in the Left Hand Valley Courier, and $8,500 for the Scout Guide, a publication and website that features cities from around the country.

Other categories in the budget included Longmont Magazine, published every other month, for $4,608; website blogs, social media and events services by Zamora for $5,100; and Facebook and targeted social media campaigns to contractor Kristina Burgoon for $6,000. The budget did not include Boulder Weekly, Boulder Magazine, or the Longmont Visitor Guide this year. Bergeson said, “It’s a change in strategy. We’re looking to reduce print advertising.”

Updates to the Niwot map previously printed and updated video content for the http://www.niwot.com website were also included, with a proposed cost of $7,000.

The Scout Guide generated the most discussion. LID member Keith Waters said, “I see so many of these, like the Yellow Scene but without the articles.” Bergeson responded, “I see this as more of a branding thing than an advertising thing,” noting that Niwot would be part of the Boulder Scout Guide as a nearby area.

“It’s a change,” Bergeson said. “I think it’s worth it to try it for a year. We want to reach a different audience.” There are 20,000 copies of the Scout Guide printed, and it is also a digital platform.

Bergeson reported that eight Niwot businesses had signed up separately to advertise in the Scout Guide so far, and that each business was paying its own advertising cost. NBA Vice-President Deb Fowler said, “We’re trying to bring people in to spend a day, a night, or a weekend.”

Storz moved to approve the request, saying, “I think it’s great that you are thinking about changing the game.” LID member Jeff Knight seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

Sales Tax Revenues

Sales tax revenues collected by the LID through February 2023 were down slightly from the same period in 2022, with $37,797 collected, a decrease of $1,362 (3.5%) according to LID Treasurer Mary Coonce.

The LID begins each year with a budget of 80% of revenues from two years ago, and though approved funding requests often exceed the initial budget by year end, Boulder County liaison to the LID Mark Ruzzin pointed out that the LID has never in its history overspent the revenue actually collected in a given year.

Coonce reported that the LID began 2023 with a reserve fund of $394,067, which represents money collected from the 1% sales tax, but not yet spent. Ruzzin pointed out that those funds are generally used for larger infrastructure projects, such as the parking lot.