Franklin County approves $8,000 in hotel-tax funds for Fox 4 "Zip Trip" promotion of Ottawa

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners voted May 21 to use $8,000 in transient guest tax dollars to subsidize television advertising as part of Fox 4’s “Zip Trip” feature highlighting Ottawa.

Main Street representative Sarah Stauffer told commissioners she nominated Ottawa earlier this year and later learned "we have been selected as a Zip Trip," a morning-show visit intended to promote day trips to communities within about 45 minutes of the Kansas City area. Stauffer presented two sponsorship options: a larger package that would create six 30‑second commercials (36 total airings) featuring 18 businesses at a total cost just under $24,000, and a smaller package with half the ads and nine businesses. Under the proposed cost-sharing plan, city and county, Main Street and the chamber would cover the remainder if business slots were not fully subscribed; individual businesses would pay $206 for a spot.

Why it matters: Transient guest tax (TGT) dollars are hotel bed taxes intended to support activity that can increase lodging demand. County staff advised the board that "transient guest tax dollars simply have to be used on things that can conceivably fill hotel rooms," and said they had no legal objection to using TGT funds for the Zip Trip ads. Commissioners stressed the need to focus advertising on events and assets that drive overnight stays and asked Stauffer to prioritize community events—specifically the Corvette car show, tractor show, bike trails and the historic courthouse—when creating ad content.

Stauffer told commissioners the Fox 4 crew would be in town to record segments the week of the meeting and that edited footage would be available for the community to reuse afterward. She said the ads would begin airing on the station’s weather segments starting with the period that begins May 30 and run through August, and that the sponsor deadline required a prompt decision.

Discussion highlights: Commissioners asked whether the city planned to contribute and whether the county’s $8,000 would yield measurable return. One commissioner noted the county should expect a marketing return in brand awareness rather than a guaranteed dollar-for-dollar lodging increase. Stauffer said some businesses and events—restaurants, retail, museums, the splash pad and trails—had already expressed interest; she asked for discretion to finalize which businesses and events to include while ensuring event promotion was prioritized.

Action: Commissioner Sodermaier moved to use transient guest tax funds to participate in the Fox 4 Zip Trip event at the $8,000 level; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Roll call recorded votes in favor from Commissioner Sodermaier, Commissioner Wehmeyer, Commissioner Meador, Commissioner Dickinson and Chair Harris.

Next steps: Stauffer said she will coordinate with the city and community partners on content and will report back to the board. Commissioners asked that county-supported spots highlight county events and the courthouse and that organizers confirm business buy‑in for any slots reserved for events or civic institutions.