Township Council Meeting — Packet

Township of West Orange Bills List User: liliana Total: 922.50 03/17/2026 10:23:22 Date: 3/17/26 To 03/17/2026 Acc: 01- To 99-9999-99-9999-999 Purchase Order Chk Num 91-2030-00-1402- Vendor Amount Invoice P.O. Date Paid Date 01/31/2026 03/17/2026 - APPROPRIATION RESERVES TOWNSHIP LITIGATION O/E 91-2030-00-1402-062 190563 Order By :Account - TOWNSHIP LITIGATION O/E LITIGATION - LABOR MATTERS 26000103 O'TOOLE SCRIVO, LLC 922.50 #184357 #187211 NOV AND DEC 2025 PROF SERV Total: APPROPRIATION RESERVES TOWNSHIP LITIGATION O/E 922.50 Fund Total: 91 922.50

DWOA Proposed Budget Long Version 2026 REVENUE SID Assessments Township Contribution Cash Township Contribution In-Kind Prior year Surplus Fundraising Income Fall Event Fundraising Efforts all other events Transformation Strategie MSNJ Interest Income Projected 2026 $ 150,000.00 $ 67,809.00 $ 28,000.00 $ 5,000.00 $ 5,000.00 $ 20,000.00 $ 72,189.00 $ 300.00 Total Revenue $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Actual 130,661.40 67,809.00 28,000.00 15,000.00 25,100.00 72,189.00 600.00 Budget 2025 $ 135,000.00 $ 65,809.00 $ 28,000.00 $ 5,000.00 $ 5,000.00 $ 30,000.00 $ 100.00 $ 348,298.00 $ 339,359.40 $ 268,909.00 Administrative Executive Director Salary Executive Director Health Ins Payment Administrative Assistant Payroll Fees Employer Payroll Taxes Office Operations $ $ $ $ $ $ 66,950.00 5,000.00 30,900.00 1,250.00 9,000.00 6,000.00 $ $ $ $ $ $ 65,000.00 5,000.00 30,000.00 1,000.00 10,000.00 6,000.00 Total Administrative $ 119,100.00 $ 112,895.50 $ 117,000.00 Rent/In Kind Utilities/In Kind Telephone/In Kind General Office/In Kind Postage/In Kind Total In-kind $ $ $ $ $ $ 12,000.00 1,800.00 3,500.00 6,500.00 4,200.00 28,000.00 $ $ $ $ $ $ 12,000.00 1,800.00 3,500.00 6,500.00 4,200.00 28,000.00 Total Admin. & Office Oper. & In-Kind $ 147,100.00 $ 140,895.50 $ 145,000.00 Economic Development Business Retention Total Economic Development $ $ 4,000.00 $ 4,000.00 $ 295.00 $ 295.00 $ 3,909.00 3,909.00 Insurance & Professional Services Directors & Officers Disability/Workman's Comp Accountant/Auditor $ $ $ 1,850.00 $ 550.00 $ 13,000.00 $ 1,125.37 $ 557.00 $ 12,500.00 $ 1,500.00 500.00 3,000.00 Total Insurance & Professional Services $ 15,400.00 $ 14,182.37 $ 5,000.00 EXPENSES $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 60,000.00 5,000.00 30,000.00 1,126.00 7,957.50 8,812.00 12,000.00 1,800.00 3,500.00 6,500.00 4,200.00 28,000.00

DWOA Proposed Budget Long Version 2026 2026 Proposed Actual 2025 Budget Marketing & Promotions Marketing Vendor/Visit WO Campaign Mobile Ap Website Design/Hosting & MS Office Street Fair Downtown Thursday Holiday Open House Social Media Bus Promo/Newsletter WO Chronicle, TAP & Other Print Shop WO Card Business Support & Restaurant Promo Fall Fundraiser Event Other Promotion Items Total Marketing & Promotions $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 14,000.00 5,000.00 6,000.00 19,500.00 8,948.00 6,000.00 7,600.00 1,000.00 2,650.00 3,000.00 1,500.00 75,198.00 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 8,394.49 2,000.00 6,912.00 16,691.51 7,142.25 6,388.00 2,612.98 925.00 981.61 435.00 52,482.84 $ $ $ $ 15,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 19,500.00 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 6,000.00 7,600.00 1,000.00 2,650.00 5,000.00 1,500.00 64,250.00 Organization Community Events- OSPAC, WOCC Dues & Subscriptions Main Street NJ/National Conference Trade Shows/Seminars Total Organization $ $ $ $ $ 100.00 1,000.00 5,000.00 500.00 6,600.00 $ $ $ $ $ 100.00 749.50 3,702.42 694.00 5,245.92 $ $ $ $ $ 100.00 1,000.00 5,000.00 500.00 6,600.00 Visual Improvement Banners - Spring & Hometown Heros Design Improvements/Signs Capital Expense Façade Grant Program Holiday Decorations Landscaping, Planters, Garbage Litter Patrol Total Visual Improvement $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 5,000.00 5,000.00 15,000.00 20,000.00 19,500.00 10,500.00 25,000.00 100,000.00 $ 7,373.68 $ 28,987.00 $ 17,462.70 $ 17,775.00 $ 18,716.78 $ 46,874.86 $ 20,600.00 $ 157,790.02 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 3,100.00 1,000.00 3,338.00 10,000.00 16,712.00 10,000.00 20,000.00 64,150.00 $ $ $ 348,298.00 $ 370,891.65 $ (28,000.00) $ (28,000.00) $ 320,298.00 $ 342,891.65 $ 288,909.00 (28,000.00) 260,909.00 Total Expenses In-Kind Total Estimated Budget

Downtown West Orange Alliance 2026 Budget Narrative Introduction This year’s proposed operating budget totals $320,298.00, reflecting the cash revenue and expenditures of the Downtown West Orange Alliance. In addition, the Township provides $28,000 in in-kind support, including office space and utilities, which is not reflected in the operating total. The budget reflects a focused investment in planning, marketing, promotion, economic development, and organizational growth. Revenue is generated through a combination of Special Improvement District assessments, Township of West Orange contributions, grant funding, fundraising efforts, and prior year surplus. Our programming includes Downtown Thursday events, the West Orange Street Fair, Holiday Open House, and Restaurant Week — each designed to drive visitation and strengthen economic activity within the downtown corridor. This year, the Downtown West Orange Alliance successfully achieved national accreditation for the 26th consecutive year through the National Main Street Center. In 2024–2025, the accreditation process was strengthened to emphasize measurable impact, strong governance, financial accountability, and strategic implementation aligned with the nationally recognized Main Street Approach™. The Downtown West Orange Alliance will continue to engage with business and property owners, residents, and community partners while advancing initiatives that promote the long-term stability and competitiveness of our downtown district. Revenue The assessment portion of this budget totals $150,000, utilizing the established three-tier system as sanctioned by ordinance. The tiers are based on the type and location of commercial properties within the downtown corridor. This assessment represents a measured adjustment from prior years and reflects the increased cost of delivering downtown programming, corridor-wide beautification, economic development initiatives, and public events that support visitation and business growth. There are currently 182 properties providing commercial space for more than 300 businesses, including restaurants, retail establishments, and personal and professional service companies. Funding sources for the 2026 budget include Special Improvement District assessments, Township cash contributions and in-kind services, fundraising revenue, prior year surplus, interest income, and a

Funding sources for the 2026 budget include Special Improvement District assessments, Township cash contributions and in-kind services, fundraising revenue, prior year surplus, interest income, and a $72,189 Transformation Strategy grant secured to implement strategic initiatives aligned with the district’s adopted Transformation Strategy, including targeted business recruitment, placemaking improvements, and enhanced marketing efforts. Together, these revenue sources ensure the continued delivery of programming, beautification, marketing, and business-support services that strengthen the downtown business district. 1

The Alliance’s 26th consecutive year of national accreditation through the National Main Street Center underscores the high level of accountability, reporting, and performance standards maintained in managing these public and assessment funds. Assessment Revenue Township Contribution Cash Township Contribution In-Kind Prior Year Surplus Fall Fundraiser & Winter Event Fundraising Efforts Events Transformation Strategy Grant Interest Income TOTAL $ 150,000.00 $ 67,809.00 $ 28,000.00 $ 5,000.00 $ 5,000.00 $ 20,000.00 $ 72,189.00 $ 300.00 $ 348,298.00 Expenses Administration & Office Operations Expenses relating to Administration and Office Operations include the Township’s in-kind support, which totals $28,000 and has remained unchanged since the inception of the Special Improvement District. This in-kind contribution includes rent, utilities, telephone, postage, printing, and office supplies. The SID office is located within Township Hall and is provided as part of this support. In addition to in-kind services, the Township provides a cash contribution of $67,809 toward the overall operating budget. Together, this support reflects the continued partnership between the Township and the Downtown West Orange Alliance in maintaining responsible administration and daily operations of the district. Total Administration & Office Operations $ 119,100.00. The Administrative and Office Operations line item includes $28,000 in in-kind expenses received from the Township. As previously noted, this support includes rent, utilities, telephone, postage, printing, and office supplies. Additional expenses within this category include personnel costs, payroll-related expenses, and general administrative operations necessary to support the day-to-day management of the Special Improvement District. Technology & Systems Management The Downtown Alliance continues to utilize Member 365 (M365), a comprehensive membership and database management platform that supports streamlined office operations and improved data management. This system enhances the organization’s ability to manage and maintain accurate business and property owner records, track engagement, and support communication efforts across the district. The efficiencies gained through M365 strengthen internal administrative capacity and allow us to focus on strategic programming and economic development

port communication efforts across the district. The efficiencies gained through M365 strengthen internal administrative capacity and allow us to focus on strategic programming and economic development initiatives. Personnel and Administrative expenses are as follows: 2

Executive Director $ 66,950.00 Executive Director Health Ins $ 5,000.00 Social Media Coord/Admin Assist $ 30,900.00 Payroll Fees $ 1,250.00 Employer Payroll Taxes $ 9,000.00 Office Supplies, Fees & Equipment $ 6,000.00 Sub-Total Admin Expense $ 119,100.00 Economic Revitalization (ER) $4,000.00 The Economic Revitalization line item provides targeted funding to support the implementation of the district’s adopted Transformation Strategy, Thrive Local West Orange, which positions Downtown West Orange as an incubator for small and emerging businesses. This allocation supports entrepreneurial development initiatives, including business retention efforts, targeted recruitment, mentorship coordination, storefront activation, and coordinated business support initiatives designed to strengthen local businesses as anchors within the district. The Economic Development team continues to take a proactive, relationship-driven approach to engaging property owners and prospective tenants, identifying retail-ready spaces, and supporting a balanced and sustainable business mix. This funding allows the organization to respond strategically to vacancy trends, support data-driven recruitment efforts, and advance initiatives aimed at fostering business growth and long-term economic revitalization. Professional Services & Insurance $15,400.00 The Professional Services line item reflects expenses associated with regulatory compliance, financial oversight, and risk management. In accordance with the Special Improvement District ordinance, the organization conducted an independent financial audit this year. The cost of audit services has increased in recent years, and this year’s expense reflects current market rates for independent auditing services. In addition to the audit, this category includes Directors & Officers’ (D&O) Insurance, Worker’s Compensation Insurance, and professional accounting services necessary to ensure responsible fiscal management and organizational compliance. These expenditures support transparency, proper financial controls, and continued adherence to municipal and state requirements. Strong financial oversight is also a core component of maintaining national accreditation standards through the National Main Street Center. D&O Insurance $ 1,850.00 Worker’s Compensation $ 550.00 Accounting $ 13,000.00 Total Professional Services & Ins $

intaining national accreditation standards through the National Main Street Center. D&O Insurance $ 1,850.00 Worker’s Compensation $ 550.00 Accounting $ 13,000.00 Total Professional Services & Ins $ 15,400.00 3

Marketing & Promotions $75,198.00 The Marketing & Promotions category supports the planning, production, and promotion of signature downtown events and initiatives that drive visitation, strengthen brand identity, and support local businesses. The organization will continue to manage a variety of well-established and highly attended promotional events, including the West Orange Street Fair, Downtown Thursday events, and the annual Holiday Open House. These programs have grown in popularity and serve as key economic drivers for the downtown business district. This category also supports collaborative fundraising and promotional efforts, including a fall fundraiser in partnership with the Thomas Edison Museum, as well as targeted seasonal and pop-up initiatives designed to increase foot traffic throughout the corridor. In addition to event-based programming, funds support ongoing digital marketing and communications efforts, including social media outreach (Facebook and Instagram), email newsletters, the Downtown website, and the Downtown mobile app. During last year, the Alliance was notified that the original mobile app provider would no longer support the platform. In response, the Alliance secured a new vendor and is currently rebuilding and enhancing the app to improve functionality and long-term sustainability. While the previous version included select Township information, the updated app will expand and formalize Township-related pages, creating a more comprehensive and user-friendly resource that serves both the downtown district and the broader West Orange community. The Alliance’s email newsletter maintains an average open rate of approximately 40%, significantly exceeding typical national benchmarks, reflecting strong community engagement and effective outreach. Marketing Vendor/Visit WO Campaign $ 14,000.00 Mobile Application $ 5,000.00 Website Branding Design & M365 $ 6,000.00 Street Fair $ 19,500.00 Downtown Thursdays $ 8,948.00 Holiday Open House $ 6,000.00 Social media – Promos & Newsletter $ 7,600.00 WO Chronicle, Tap & other print ads $ 1,000.00 Shop West Orange Card 00.00 Business Support & Restaurant Promo $ 2,650.00 Fall Fundraiser $ 3,000.00 Other Promotional Items $ 1,500.00 Total Marketing & Promotions $ 75,198.00 4