The Benson Business Improvement District reviewed its financial position and ongoing efforts to strengthen the organization during its quarterly meeting. Officials reported that about $36,500 of the district’s $88,405 annual budget has been spent or committed, with no unexpected expenses to date. Board members also discussed recruiting additional members after recent meetings failed to reach a quorum. Annie Butler, director of the Benson Creative District, outlined plans to participate in financial resiliency training through the Omaha Community Foundation to explore new fundraising opportunities, including the potential creation of a nonprofit organization to support projects beyond the BID’s funding authority.
The board received updates on multiple improvement initiatives, including new garden signage, renovated newspaper boxes, dog waste stations, a public bench mural project and a review of holiday lighting contracts. Members also discussed pedestrian safety efforts along Northwest Radial Highway, where temporary radar speed signs and traffic signal adjustments have been added, as well as a proposal for pedestrian safety flag stations in Benson. Other updates included marketing and website improvements, planning for the Heartland Plein Air Festival and Benson High School’s centennial celebration, and a potential partnership with Heartland Family Service on housing, safety and neighborhood development initiatives.
Meeting documented by Jeff French
Read full meeting notes here
