Saint Charles Business Alliance seeks $850,600 for 2026–27 budget, requests fee waivers and four‑year agreement

Jenna, representing the Saint Charles Business Alliance, asked the Committee of the Whole to approve an $850,600 funding allocation for the 2026–27 city budget and a four‑year funding agreement that would increase annual funding by $12,000.

Jenna said the Alliance’s marketing and events work has produced measurable reach: “We’ve gained over 3,000 new followers, bringing us to over 37,000 across all platforms,” and “we now have over 11,500 downloads” of the Alliance app. She listed program outcomes including promotion of roughly 1,800 events, operation of two digital kiosks with more than 24,000 user counts, 44 podcasts produced in the year and a relaunch of a retail route and Brew Tour.

The request asked the city to absorb certain city fees and essential support services for city‑contracted events (items such as traffic control equipment and related bill‑back charges). City staff clarified that those costs are handled through the public-works bill‑back process and said most are internal transfers unless overtime is required; the city official described the arrangement as largely circular accounting rather than a new ongoing cash expense.

Council members asked for and received additional detail about the retail-route performance and the Alliance’s ability to self‑perform work (for example maintaining an in‑house graphic designer and sales team). One councilor asked whether secondary parade dates were feasible; Jenna said IDOT approval and additional downpayments for vendors make routine alternate dates impractical.

Councilors praised the Alliance’s events and outreach work and supported the multi‑year approach as a way to secure sponsorships and long‑term contracts. A motion to approve the funding request carried on a roll-call vote.

The alliance said the funding would support expanded Unwind Wednesdays (doubling from three to six events), new bikeability and walkability work (including bike maps and wayfinding), and continued marketing and sales efforts aimed at increasing visitor and resident engagement.