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Chapter 5

Budget

  

     There are three elements of the Connection Plan budget: capital improvements, operating expenses and resources.

 

Capital Improvement Costs are Remarkably Low

     Enough information was available to estimate most recommended capital improvements. The chart below provides a listing of nineteen project cost estimations. These projects are divided into three groups, based on level of priority. Total cost for the 19 projects is about $8.89 million. First priority projects are about $4.3 million. Second priority projects are about $2 million, and third priority projects are about $2.6 million. The table further breaks out required costs and "discretionary" costs," those that are recommended but could be eliminated if resources are heavily constrained.

 

     In some cases, projects have not been defined in specific enough terms yet to provide a reliable cost estimate. These projects include:

* Relocate fairgrounds

* Industrial park basic improvements

* River Walk, downtown segment and rail bridge-wildlife refuge segment

* Downtown alleys, library park

* West Visitor parking lot, property acquisition

* Farmers market

* Airport runway extension

Project

Number

Description

Total Estimated

Project Cost

Basic Costs

Discretionary

Costs

Priority 1
1.1 Visitors Center parking lot enhancements $483,700 $455,900 27,800
1.2 Entry at Kootenai/95 40,000 25,000 15,000
1.3 Entry at Main/95 25,000 25,000 0
1.4 Main Street enhancement 386,000 337,200 48,800
1.5 South Hill 1,432,936 1,124,436 308,500
1.6 FY 2002 Airport improvement program 1,136,000 1,136,000 0
1.7 Signal at Tamarack 219,100 219,100 0
1.8 Pedestrian underpass 560,800 560,800 0

Priority 1 Estimated Total Project Costs:

$4,283,536 $3,883,436 $400,100
Priority 2
2.1 Extend Bonner Port Street (Library Street) 136,270 135,500 770
2.2 Kootenai Street enhancement 470,700 456,500 14,200
2.3 River Walk: $4-5/square foot @ 8 ft. wide 358,700 345,300 13,400
2.4 Airport runway extension (600 feet) 200,000 200,000 0
2.5 River Walk: $4-5/square foot @ 8 ft. wide

2.5.1

Dike, KRI to Florida St., 745 linear feet 29,800 23,840 5,960

2.5.2

KRI River promenade, 760 linear feet 30,400 24,320 6,080

2.5.3

Underpass (See project 1.7)

2.5.4

Through Downtown parking lot

no estimate

2.5.5

Riverside, Main to Railroad, 900 linear feet 36,000 28,800 7,200

2.5.6

Riverside, Railroad to refuge

no estimate

2.5.7

95 Bridge

no estimate

2.5.8

North of Bridge, east trail, 950 linear feet 38,000 30,400 7,600

2.5.9

North of Bridge, west trail, 1,600 linear feet 64,000 51,200 12,800
2.6 Employee parking 164,900 159,400 5,500
2.7 First Street enhancement 338,600 321,000 17,600
2.8 Arizona Pedestrian enhancement 182,100 175,200 6,900
2.9 Farmer's Market

no estimate

Priority 2 estimated total project cost

$2,049,470 $1,951,460 $98,010
Priority 3
3.1 Library Park improvements 40,000 0 40,000
3.2 Alley pedestrian enhancements

no estimate

3.3 South Hill 95 to three lanes, Tamarack to S. City 774,100 584,300 189,800
3.4 Cultural Center 1,742,730 1,742,730 0

Priority 3 estimated total project cost

$2,556,830 $2,327,030 229,800

GRAND TOTAL ESTIMATED CAPITAL PROJECT COST:

$8,889,836 $8,161,926 $727,910

B. Annual Operating Expenses Will Support a Wide Variety of Actions

     The five-year operating plan presented in Chapter 4 will require the following annual budgets:

     Year 1:  $112,700

     Year 2:    238,300

     Year 3:    185,250

     Year 4:    156,450

     Year 5:   149,950

     TOTAL $842,650

 

     The spike in the second year reflects several feasibility studies that will be needed to attract grants and other forms of investments for key projects. Considering that this budget will address ten different program areas, the figures are very reasonable.  Fully 35%, or about $300,000, is focused on promotion. Much of this can come from reorganized spending that is already being committed by the business community. In fact, most of the recommended operating expenses can be covered from readily available resources.

Description 2001 2002 2003 2003 2004 2005

Sources of Support

A. Organizational Development
Hire professional manager to lead implementation (Cost includes operating expense) 85,500 85,500 85,500 85,500 85,500 85,500 IDOC, City, County, KTI
Create a Cultural Center Nonprofit Corporation 1,000 BCM, KTI, Clubs
Create a Main Street program for downtown revitalization (led by professional manager) 500 500 500 500 500 500 BCM, CC
Attend Annual National Main Street town meeting 1,200 1,200 1,200 1,200 1,200
B. Industrial Development
Conduct feasibility study for incubator 25,000 BCM, UI, PAC, EDA
Conduct workshops on development opportunities 500 500 500 500 500 500 BCM, PAC, UI
Conduct feasibility studies for wind, biomass, solar energy 40,000 20,000 EDA, RC&D, UI
Create business plan for permanent Farmer's Market 20,000 BCM, PAC, UI, IDOC
C. Tourism Development: Capture/Retain Visitors
Enhance Entrances, north, south, Highway 2, town
     Highway signs (one refurbished, one new) 1,000 5,000 Gem, CC, City
     Signs/Billboards (Highway 95 & 2) or tourist radio information 6,000 6,000 6,000 6,000 ITC, Biz
Link casino/hotels to local businesses, attractions (two signs to pedestrian underpass from downtown, casino) 1,000 City, ITD, casino
Cater to international guests (business signs, brochures) 500 2,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 Biz, ITC
Investigate shuttle options, feasibility analysis, business plan 8,000 EDA, KTI, ITD
D. Downtown Revitalization
Retain and Expand Existing Businesses Provide business technical assistance
     Workshops: markets/marketing, merchandising, service 5,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 SBDC, Biz, CC, USDA
     Design assistance for facade, building renovations 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 UI, Gem, HPC, Biz
     Create a low-interest loan pool 500 Banks, Biz
Recruit Complementary Retail/Service Businesses
     Create inventory of commercial space forms (forms, 3-ring binder) 50 CC, Biz, Realtors
     Create a business recruitment package (folders, copying) 500 50 50 50 50 CC, Biz, Gem
     Pursue deal: make contacts, follow up (expenses) 500 500 500 500 500 CC, Biz, Gem
     Support physician recruitment (receptions, etc.) 500 500 Biz, CC, BCH
     Support school facility improvements (2,000 fliers) 250 CC, Biz
Create Cohesive Business "District" Downtown
     Highlight heritage of downtown and community
     Walking tour brochures, 5M copies per year 900 750 800 800 800 ITC, HPC, Biz
     Interpretive signs/plaques for historic buildings 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 HPC, Biz, Gem

South Hill Development

South Hill Development Strategy

Initiate voluntary sign guidelines, workshops for businesses 500 500 CC, City, Biz

Promotion

Organize for Promotion

Develop promotion image, or "brand" w/DT Option 1,500 ITC, CC
Meet with ad agency, develop action plan, budget 2,500 1,200 Biz, CC
Obtain support from businesses, organizations
     Promotion plan and budget copies for businesses 250 250 250 250 250 250 CC
     Quarterly mailings to businesses re status/results 500 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 CC
Promote to Local Residents
Create, distribute awareness brochure, follow-up bulletins 2,000 550 550 550 550 550 City, ED, Biz
Develop 3-rack brochures for local goods and services 1,800 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 CC, Biz, ITC
Promote the Community Brand
     Newspaper ads (2 months times 2 papers) 4,200 8,000 12,500 12,500 15,000 15,000 CC, Biz, ITC
     Radio ads (6 x daily, :30 seconds, 4 days per week) 2,300 7,500 7,500 7,500 7,500 7,500 CC, Biz, ITC
     Shopping bags with brand and list of stores 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 Biz
     Giveaway items for special promotions 500 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 CC, Biz
     Seasonal/event banners for downtown, South Hill (50 per year) 2,500 2,500 2,500 2,500 2,500 CC, Biz
     Business directory signs (2 updates) 5,000 500 500 500 CC, Biz
Create theme promos/events (decor, supplies, prizes) 1,000 3,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 CC, Biz, ITC
Enhance web site to promote local businesses 500 1,200 1,200 1,200 1,200 1,200 CC, ITC
Encourage cross promotions (family tour) 500 500 500 500 500 500 CC, Biz
Encourage citizen participation - brick/adoption promo 500 500 500 CC, City
Promote to Resident Regional Markets
Link to regional promo (eg., Selkirk Loop - 50K brochures) 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 ITC
Target regional residents for major retail events 1,000 2,000 2,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 ITC, Biz
Promote Tourist Markets
Assist potential visitors during day trip planning
     Visitor Guide to Boundary County reprint 12,000 12,000 ITC, NITA
     Media kits (100) folder and contents 500 100 100 100 ITC, NITA
Follow-up with mailings and E-mails after stay
     Post cards (5K) and postage (@  $.25) 500 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500 ITC, Biz
Track and Evaluate Results of Promotion Program
Decide on tracking methods, establish benchmarks 250 CC, Biz, Ed
Set up tracking and reporting logistics 150 CC, Biz, Ed
Conduct consumer survey (w/college, research firm) 5,000 8,000 Ed, CC, Gem
Evaluate promotion efforts and adjust (agency assist) 700 750 750 800 800 850 CC, Biz, Ed

Totals

$112,700 $238,300 $185,250 $156,450 $149,950 $74,250

C. Nearly One Hundred Twenty Resources are Available to Support Implementation

      All projects in the connection plan that require financial resources were reviewed to make sure at least one potential resource is available to support it. In all, about 120 potential resources were identified. These resources are listed, including the names, description, amounts available, parties who qualify to apply and contact information, are available in Appendix 7, available for review at the Court House.