Littleton arts board approves Tier 1 and Tier 4 lodgers-tax recommendations, defers tourism funding

The Littleton Arts and Culture Board on June 12 voted to approve Tier 1 lodgers-tax pass-through recommendations to City Council and approved Tier 4 discretionary grants, but postponed a decision on Tier 3 — the city's tourism and marketing allocation — until staff provides more detailed budgets and placement information.

Board chair Jamie McCrumb said the board would forward Tier 1 and 3 as "pass throughs" to council, while noting Tier 4 has more local discretion. Director-level staff had earlier told the board that council directed that Tiers 1 and 3 be held at last year's levels. Museum Director Tim Ham told the board, "projection for lodgers tax was around 1,100,000 a year. First year, we came in at about $950,000. Year 2, about $850,000," and that the board's current projection would put this year near $775,000, about 13% below last year.

Why it matters: The lodgers-tax fund is the board's primary revenue source for grants supporting arts, culture and tourism. Decisions on how to allocate a smaller-than-expected pool this year affect organizational budgets, mural and public-art programs and the city's VisitLittleton marketing effort.

What the board decided and next steps - Tier 1…