Miguel Espinosa Sworn In as Abilene Taylor County Venue District Vice President

The Abilene Venue Board convened on August 25, 2025, to address several key agenda items, including the appointment of new board members, the election of officers, and the acceptance of the annual audit report.

The meeting commenced with the administration of the oath of office to Miguel Espinosa, the newest appointed board member. Following the oath, the board confirmed that a quorum was present and moved to the public comment period, which concluded without any public input.

Next, the board approved the minutes from the previous meeting held on June 17, 2024. Judge Phil Crowley made the motion to approve, which was seconded by Dr. Bronkmeyer, and passed unanimously.

The election of board officers was the next item on the agenda. Commissioner Chuck Sattler was nominated and unanimously elected as president. Miguel Espinosa was nominated and elected as vice president, with Dr. Bronkmeyer and Judge Crowley supporting the nomination. Judge Crowley was also nominated and elected as secretary, while Shay Hall was reappointed as treasurer without opposition.

The board then reviewed the annual audit report for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024. Marjorie Knight presented the audited financial statements, highlighting a clean opinion from the auditors. The report indicated total assets of $267,000 and total liabilities of $205,000, resulting in a net position of $62,284, primarily restricted for debt service. The board noted total revenues of $3,401,000 and expenditures of $3,376,000, with a net increase of $25,786. The hotel occupancy tax revenues were reported at nearly $1.3 million, reflecting a decrease from the previous year. The board voted to accept the audit report, which passed without opposition.

The meeting concluded with a presentation on programs and venue tax use, starting with Rochelle Johnson from the Taylor County Expo Center, marking the beginning of discussions on future initiatives and funding allocations.

Overall, the meeting was marked by significant administrative actions and financial oversight, setting the stage for the board's ongoing efforts to manage and promote events within the Abilene Taylor County area.