The meeting’s primary focus was the Business Improvement Reimbursement Grant Program, where the board considered but ultimately rejected a proposal to change the funding structure from a 50/50 match with a $10,000 cap to an 80/20 match, raising the maximum reimbursement to $20,000. This proposal, reportedly suggested by a board member not present at the meeting, was met with mixed reactions, with some members expressing concerns about the potential increase in expenditure and the impact on the number of applications that could be funded. The board decided to maintain the current funding guidelines but adopted new criteria to improve the quality of applications, particularly by eliminating the requirement for landscaping and irrigation, which will now be handled under a separate program.

In a related move, the board approved the establishment of a Commercial Landscape Improvement Reimbursement Grant Program. This new initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden on businesses by separately funding landscape improvements that were previously part of the business improvement applications. Under this program, businesses can receive up to $5,000 in public funds, matching 50% of their project costs.