Nearly a third of last Tuesday's Branson Board of Aldermen Meeting was spent on a discussion of the renewal of the Historic Downtown Branson Community Improvement District.

The District will be discontinued after its initially approved term ends in April of 2026 unless a renewal is approved by the Branson Board of Aldermen. The renewal was given initial approve in March but after some delays on the second reading, the CID withdrew its request for renewal so it could evaluate and possible expand the scope of the district's authority.

During the discussion, representatives and supporters of he CID held concerns about the direction of the suggestions, including concern about the tone of a letter from City Administrator Cathy Stepp to Vice-Chair of the CID Kyle Junck that was interpreted as accusing the CID of taken illegal actions. While Stepp and Junck appeared to clear up the misunderstanding during an exchange as part of the discussion, the debate continued to focus on the renewal bill on the agenda as primarily but together by Ward Two Alderman Glenn Schulz and a proposed amendment changing the renewal term from 10 to three years as presented by Ward Three Alderman Ralph LeBlanc. LeBlanc pushed for the amendment saying the three years would give the CID Board and the city time to work on a Cooperative Agreement between the two while Schulz argued that doing two renewals, which would include two ballot issues to renew the 1% Sales Tax that goes with the CID risky. 

When the Board finally voted on the LeBlanc Amended Ordinance, it received yes votes from LeBlanc as well as Board Members Clay Cooper and Ruth Denham while Alderman Artie Lucas voted against it and Schulz abstained. While the abstention was challenged by Mayor Larry Milton, taking part in the meeting virtually while recovering from a recent injury, no reason was given for the vote. 

In addition, Schulz challenged the initial approval stating that by state law, to pass an ordinance, a yes vote by the majority of the number of board members is needed, not just a majority of the number of members present. City Clerk Hillary Briand stated that goes to only final readings, Schulz explained that he had intended to bring the question up for a second reading but knew it would not pass with the absence of Alderman Marshall Howden from the meeting. 

When all was said and done, the ordinance as amended by LeBlanc passed first reading and could see final approval at the Board's next meeting on September 9. 

The full discussion as well as other business conducted by the Board at Tuesday's meeting can be seen on the City of Branson Website.