Chase County approves $38,700 transient guest tax distribution to Chamber of Commerce for tourism promotion

Chase County commissioners voted on Jan. 31, 2025 to disburse $38,700 in transient guest tax funds to the Chase County Chamber of Commerce after the chamber’s executive director presented a year-end report and 2025 plans.

The chamber director outlined last year’s work, including media outreach, a refreshed roadside billboard and Turnpike signage, new event banners in downtown Strong City, the River Suite dinner on the bridge, and involvement with the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway program. The director said the chamber expects an international group of travel writers and influencers to visit Chase County in fall 2025 and that county tourism outreach is being coordinated with broader regional promotion tied to the 2026 World Cup events.

“Those efforts bring out-of-county visitors and support local businesses,” the chamber executive director said in presenting a budgeted request and invoice for the $38,700 disbursement.

Commission discussion and vote: a commissioner moved to approve the requested disbursement, and the motion carried without recorded opposition. Commissioners clarified that transient guest tax revenues must be used for tourism-related purposes and that the chamber submitted a budget supporting the requested amount.

Financial note: during the meeting a commissioner asked about the fund balance; the exact fund balance figure discussed in that exchange was not specified in the record provided. The county confirmed the requested sum was supported by the chamber’s budget and an invoice submitted to the county.

Next steps: staff will process the chamber’s invoice and disburse the approved funds for tourism promotion projects described in the chamber’s summary.