The Flemington Community Partnership, the new organization managing the borough's Special Improvement District, has introduced a $576,525 budget for 2017.
FLEMINGTON - The Flemington Community Partnership, the new organization managing the borough's Special Improvement District, has introduced a $576,525 budget for 2017.
Borough Council will vote on the budget following a public hearing at the Historic Hunterdon County Courthouse being held 7 p.m. Dec. 12. An ordinance on the draft budget was introduced and approved by council on Oct. 24.
Copies of the budget have been posted at the borough Post Office and Flemington Free Public Library, as well as in the Borough Clerk office at Borough Hall, 38 Park Ave.
The partnership replaces the Flemington Business Improvement District, which folded earlier this year. Some $212,000 in funds from 2016 are being rolled over into the 2017 Flemington Community Partnership budget.
Anticipated revenue includes $2,500 from the Filing Station, a summertime beer garden run by the partnership, and $362,000 from the special property tax placed on commercial property located within the district.
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Proposed expenses include:
- $95,000 for economic development
- $195,000 for marketing
- $162,500 for visual programs
- $104,525 for administration
- $19,500 for contingencies
The previous Business Improvement District's proposed 2016 budget was $506,200, with $350,000 coming from the special property tax. The organization planned to carry over $101,325 in surplus funds from 2015 to 2016. It had an estimated $160,000, including both surplus and revenue, by the end of December.
The partnership's 2017 draft budget represents an almost 14-percent increase over the proposed 2016 BID budget. The amount to be raised through taxes represents a 3.4-percent increase over the proposed BID budget.
The partnership has announced a number of events heading into the holiday season. The borough hosts the annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day, as well as Shop Small Saturday on Nov. 26, which kicks off the Big Week to Shop Small, running through Dec. 3. The borough is hosting its Holiday Parade on Main Street on Dec. 4.
"We're particularly excited about Shop Small Week, which will provide us an opportunity to celebrate local businesses," Judy Goodwin, executive director of partnership, said in a news release.
The partnership also plans a Secret Santa program, giving $25 gift cards to visitors of Flemington businesses, during Shop Small week. On Dec. 3, five shoppers at each participating business can get $10 voucher towards purchase of $25 or more.