The Old Town Spring Improvement District is spending $378,715 this fiscal year. Nearly every dollar comes from the 1% sales tax shoppers pay inside the historic district.

The district published its revised FY2026-27 budget on Wednesday, Sept. 9. The document covers April 2026 through March 2027 and balances to zero: $378,715 in, $378,715 out.

Sales tax accounts for $372,000 of that total, or about 98%. The rest comes from $6,700 in interest on long-term investments and $15 in checking-account interest. The budget projects $30,000 per month in sales tax collections, according to a May 2026 bookkeeper's report attached to the district's April 21 board meeting minutes.

Where the money goes

Payroll is the biggest line item at $105,750. That covers an administrator ($39,000), a maintenance worker ($44,000) and a maintenance helper ($22,750).

Marketing and advertising total $55,000, split among social media ($30,000), carryover advertising through Hyperchat and Effectv ($13,000), Meta advertising ($7,200) and website management ($4,800). That is a 31% drop from the prior fiscal year's $79,870 marketing budget, according to the FY2025-26 budget document.

At the April 21 meeting, the board unanimously selected Harper & Grayson as the district's social media provider, according to meeting minutes.

Other notable spending includes $30,500 for professional fees, $29,700 for special projects, $24,900 for public restroom upkeep and $19,400 for insurance. The budget also sets aside $16,000 for field and office equipment and $15,000 for streetlight electricity.

The $29,700 special projects line includes $20,000 for seasonal decorations and $8,500 for beautification improvements.

Preservation Park lease disappears

One line item missing from the revised budget stands out. Earlier versions allocated $31,300 for Preservation Park, including a $27,600 annual lease. The Sept. 9 revision zeros that out entirely.

The change appears connected to a planned office move. Board President Seth Sanders said at the April 21 meeting that the district was considering relocating into the museum building. Once the move happens, the district's current building at 606 Spring Cypress would be sold and the proceeds saved.

"This move is something that the County stands behind and wants to see happen," Sanders said at the April meeting. "It will also resolve the financial strains of the Museum."

The revised budget does include $600 for the museum, covering electricity and repairs.

Background

The district, established in 2002, collects a 1% special purpose sales tax within its boundaries in northern Harris County, according to the Texas Comptroller. In the first three months of 2026, 904 people visited the Old Town Spring Visitors Bureau and museum, including 97 out-of-state and 81 international visitors.

The full revised budget is posted on the district's website. No date for the next board meeting has been confirmed in public documents.