Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Hospitality Tax topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Columbia council approves hospitality and accommodations tax recommendations, adds targeted funding for public safety and Special Olympics
Summary
Council accepted allocations recommended by the hospitality and accommodations tax advisory committees, including added council-directed increases to multiple programs and an $80,000 public-safety special projects allocation; the Columbia convention center operations were approved for $3 million from the tourism development fee.
Columbia City Council approved the hospitality tax advisory committee's recommendations on July 15 and accepted line-item and accommodations-tax recommendations after amendments from council members.
Kelly Glenn, chair of the hospitality tax advisory committee, told council the committee reviewed 73 applications over four days and recommended awards for 61 groups. "A lot of hard work and dedication went into 4 days, 4 rigorous days, very little breaks, to review 73 applications," Glenn said.
Council action and additions: Council approved the committee's allocations with a series of council-directed increases to various recipients. Staff and council identified a set of recommended amendments that will be published by the city; the meeting record lists sample increases the council adopted by amendment, including: - Black Pages International: add $50,000 - Columbia Classic Ballet Council: add $25,000 - Columbia College SC Wellness and Action Festival: add $10,000 - Columbia Fashion Week Alliance: add $10,000 - Dapper and Distinguished Gentlemen (film series): add $30,000 - First Thursday: add $10,000 - Hoopology: add $3,500 - NOMA Foundation: add $20,000 - Trustus Theatre (Capitol): add $100,000 - Wow Performing Arts Center: add $19,500
Council also approved an $80,000 allocation to CPD special projects (public safety initiatives) and a $10,000 increase for Special Olympics, with council members noting those amounts will be drawn from committee reserves rather than the committee's immediate allocation.
Accommodations tax and line items: The council voted to accept the accommodations-tax advisory committee recommendation as presented and to approve line-item agency allocations discussed in the meeting record. Doctor Bustle recused herself from the accommodations-tax vote because of an affiliation noted in the meeting.
Convention center funding: Council approved a $3,000,000 allocation for operations of the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center from the tourism development fee; staff said funds were budgeted and available in the tourism development fund.
Reimbursements and deadlines: Staff reminded applicants that awards remain subject to eligibility and reimbursement rules. Council directed staff to follow up with organizations that have carry-forward balances and either help them spend awarded funds within the program year or reclaim funds for reallocation.
Next steps: Staff will publish the final award list and amounts with the council's adopted amendments, and will notify recipients about eligibility, reimbursement requirements and deadlines.
