UPDATE: The council pulled the Belmar Special Improvement Distric budget from its meeting this week. The next council meeting is Feb. 6.

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A $176,000 budget for the Belmar Special Improvement District is before council tonight.

The proposed budget grows $36,000 from 2012, when a trimmed budget of $135,000 — $40,000 less than the original proposal of $175,000 — narrowly passed borough council.

Income from property assessments and event sponsorships will fund the BID, to spend on marketing, recruiting and more to keep local business alive and make Belmar a shopping destination.

Mayor and council will vote on the BID's 2013 budget at tonight's 6 p.m. council meeting in borough hall.

The BID Business Development Committee has $57,000 budgeted for tasks such as recruiting and welcoming new businesses to Belmar, and administering the Façade Improvement Grant program and continue New Business Fit-out Grant program.

Spending for the branding and marketing committee to upkeep websites, run cruise nights, and push its public relations campaign would total $45,312.

The Visual Improvement Committee — which plans and executes initiatives for streetscape and other beautification projects such as new signage, sidewalk planters and more — has $50,000 in spending planned.

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