E. Dundee reserving $332,000 for marketing, events
As part of its efforts to turn East Dundee into a destination spot, the village has set aside $332,330 for community events and marketing in the next budget, a move that represents a shift in priorities.
Officials previously reserved just $15,600 for community events and marketing for the fiscal year that ends April 30.
East Dundee started its push to revitalize the downtown two years ago by creating a plan and partnering with prominent businessman Tom Roeser and landlord Delores Doderlein to bring it to life.
Projects are also under way in the downtown that include renovations of the Anvil Club and Bandito Barney's Beach Club and Bordello, Trustee Jeff Lynam said.
The $332,330 represents another step in that rebuilding process, one the board already knew was going to be expensive, Lynam said.
"It's a quaint little downtown area that has, like a lot of towns, taken a hit on the chin with the recession we've been hit with," Lynam said. "And there's a lot of room for improvement and we need to do what we can do to revive it."
New events would include a villagewide garage sale and shredding event, a Sunday market and monthly summer events for dogs, wine connoisseurs and car collectors. The village also would expand its Saturday markets.
"We have been formulating an idea of how to best get people down here and so we listened to a number of different businesses and residents and came up with a list of ideas," said Karen Blair, East Dundee's marketing director. "We are thrilled and excited to plan these type of events and activities for people to discover East Dundee."
The money in the proposed budget includes $85,364 for marketing supplies, $59,000 for live music, a street artist and video production services, a $53,045 salary for Blair and $13,000 for her yet-to-be hired part-time assistant.
None of the planned events would usurp Heritage Fest, the village's premier festival, Village President Lael Miller said.
East Dundee leaders were able to set aside a large chunk of money for marketing and events thanks to several new revenue streams, said Linda Blackerby, the village's finance director.
The village is expected to receive $110,000 from a new vehicle transfer tax in the next fiscal year as well as $90,000 from event sponsorships and $80,000 in video gambling proceeds.
She estimates the village will also receive $1.67 million in sales tax, a $70,000 increase from the current fiscal year, Blackerby said.
The budget hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. April 7 at village hall and the board's vote to adopt the budget is the same night. The new fiscal year begins May 1.