Solvang City Council Approves Contract to Explore Downtown Business Improvement District

The City of Solvang has given a green light to establish a Downtown Business Improvement District (BID). On October 13, 2025, the City Council voted unanimously to approve an $89,175 contract with consulting firm NBS Government Finance Group. 

The tenure of the project is 12 months, with completion slated for October 2026, according to the City of Solvang Staff Report.

The report noted that the project is funded through the city’s budgets for fiscal years 2025-26, with no grant funding involved. 

A Business Improvement District (BID) is a defined area where businesses agree to contribute funds for additional services or improvements. These may include enhanced public safety, beautification projects, or marketing efforts.

The project aims to broaden and balance tourism. It will do this through locally driven initiatives and partnerships. The Council said it will also pursue a more sustainable and diversified revenue stream for city services.

Although the contract amount fell below the administrative approval threshold, staff presented the item to the City Council. The goal was to ensure transparency and recognize the Council’s leadership in advancing the project.

According to the report, the city released the Request for Proposals for the BID on August 11, 2025. This was confirmed by Olivia Uribe Mutal, Assistant to the City Manager, in the report.

The selected firm is expected to lead stakeholder outreach and build consensus. It will also develop an implementation strategy that stays within the approved timeline and budget. In addition, the firm will guide the city through all Proposition 218 requirements.

NBS’s Experience in Similar Communities

NBS Government Finance Group was selected for its experience developing BIDs and related districts across California, including recent projects in Long Beach, San Mateo, and Los Osos. The firm also has extensive experience with Proposition 218 compliance and community engagement through steering committees, surveys, and workshops involving merchants and property owners.

Most of the work done by NBS is based on civil engineering and local government management. The company has worked on the Yerba Buena CBD, a property-based BID, in San Francisco’s South of Market Area. NBS has experience, technical expertise, and a strong understanding of San Francisco and the Yerba Buena area. According to the company’s website, these qualities helped it secure the year-long project. 

NBS was established by California-based engineers Norman Neste, John Brudin, and Raymond Stone, according to the company’s official website. The firm later joined hands with Lowry & Associates.