Lampasas Rodeo Association outlines upgrades, asks council for $10,000 in hotel-tax support

Lampasas County Rodeo Association representatives told the Lampasas City Council on a February workshop date that they have expanded events and completed arena repairs and other facility work, and they asked the council to consider a $10,000 hotel occupancy tax grant to help cover event expenses for the Reorder Roundup Rodeo scheduled for April 23–26, 2025.

The request and update matter because the association said expanded bookings—multiple events already scheduled for 2025 and a large September event they are finalizing—could draw overnight visitors who would use local hotels, restaurants and other businesses. Council members questioned whether the request should be classified as an operational expense, which the HOT manual generally disallows, and cited Texas law that allows HOT spending on sporting events that demonstrably increase hotel activity.

During a presentation the association recounted maintenance and improvements completed since signing a management contract with the city in…