Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Hotel Motel Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Effingham County approves hotel-motel grants for July fireworks and VW Fun Fest
Summary
County officials approved three hotel-motel fund grants for Independence Day events and a Volkswagen festival, citing limited remaining funds and community visitor draws.
Effingham County officials voted May 15 to allocate hotel-motel tax funds to three upcoming July events: $2,750 for the Lake Sarah fireworks, $1,500 for the Dietrich Fourth of July fireworks and $750 for a VW Fun Fest downtown.
The allocations fund events that county officials said attract visitors and families and support local businesses. Officials discussed tight remaining balances in the hotel-motel line as they made the awards.
At the meeting a representative for the Lake Sarah fireworks said, “Last year, your donation was $2,500. This year, I'll be happy with $2,500. If you wanna give me a little more, I'll be happy. Fireworks did go up a little bit.” The presenter also said the event’s total cost this year is $27,500 and that event expenses were about $1,200.
Jeremy Daters, a meeting participant, moved to increase the Lake Sarah award slightly; Chris Keller, a meeting participant, seconded the motion. After a voice vote — “Aye” from those present — the motion carried and $2,750 was approved for the Lake Sarah fireworks.
Officials next considered the Dietrich Fourth of July fireworks. The presiding participant said the group indicated it was “just fine with the $1,500” award, and the board approved $1,500 by voice vote.
Representatives of the VW Fun Fest requested a larger contribution but were told by officials that little remained in the unallocated hotel-motel fund. Mid America Motor Works representative Marlon Kester said, “We are asking for, help funding the Volkswagen Fun Fest, which, usually brings in over 200, plus Volkswagen enthusiasts from all over the country, and we do it at our grounds at Mid America Motor Works.” He said the weekend includes a full-day show at Mid America Motor Works and a downtown movie-night event tied to the festival.
Meeting participants noted the unallocated balance changed during the discussion: one participant said about $1,000 remained to allocate earlier in the meeting, and later another participant said $750 remained. With that constraint, Josh Douthit moved and Doug McCain seconded a motion to award $750 to the VW Fun Fest; the motion carried on a voice vote.
Organizers said the VW Fun Fest funds would help cover rentals and on-site needs downtown, including porta-potties, entertainment and vendor space; Kester and another presenter, Marlene Custer of Good American Auto, asked officials to consider any donation the county could provide.
The officials did not reference any state statute, ordinance or formal county policy during the votes; the awards were presented as allocations from the hotel-motel fund during new-business agenda items. The meeting record shows the approvals were by voice vote with no roll-call tallies recorded in the transcript.
The session ended after public comments and without closed session. County participants noted the limited remaining hotel-motel funds and that other routine requests remain on the list for consideration.
Officials, event representatives and community members may return to the county in budget discussions if additional adjustments to allocations are needed.
