DDA debates Old School Square budget and staffing as revenues tighten

DDA staff presented a draft Old School Square operating plan on Aug. 10 that forecasts approximately $800,000 in city support and proposes a mix of event, sponsorship and rental revenue to reach a target operating plan for the coming year. The presentation emphasized centennial-year programming, a shift toward some ticketed events, and a proposed increase in payroll costs to support operations and a new strategic operations manager role.

"Our goal would be, obviously, to increase that," the executive director said of sponsorship and program income as management outlined priorities for placemaking, summer programming, and museum exhibitions. Board members pushed back on cuts to programming and flagged a "wind down" risk if revenues and city support decline; one board member said the budget trends felt like a shrinking of investment and called for a workshop to explore options. Several members urged seeking support from the CRA or city to cover safety ambassadors and other public-safety-related expenses and asked staff to return with tightened budget scenarios and clearer ranges for payroll and consultant costs.

The board did not take a final vote on the package; staff said it will revise budgets based on today’s discussion, tighten the ranges presented, and circulate follow-up material before adoption during the DDA’s budget cycle.