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Daggett County declines retroactive reimbursement request for out-of-state tourism booth; asks TRT board for criteria
Summary
Daggett County commissioners declined a request to reimburse a local promoter for a Quartzsite, Ariz., trade show booth paid before county approval, but agreed the county may consider future requests under a consistent policy and through the Tourism/Tourism Tax Advisory (TRT) process.
Daggett County commissioners on Jan. 17 discussed a request from local promoter Nick Kaiser to reimburse a portion of booth and promotional costs he paid to represent Daggett County at an out-of-state event in Quartzsite, Arizona, and decided to deny the request at this time without prejudice.
The request concerned a single booth in Quartzsite that Kaiser said cost about $1,700. Kaiser asked the commission to consider reimbursing 30–50% of that cost from the county's TRT (tourism-related) funds; commissioners said any decision on TRT spending should be made by the TRT board or the tourism department with clear criteria and, when possible, before expenses are incurred.
Commissioners said they supported leveraging local businesses’ promotional efforts but emphasized the need for a consistent application process. "Property taxes are entirely separate," one commissioner said during the discussion, drawing a distinction between the promotional request and separate complaints Kaiser raised about property taxes. Several commissioners said they would rather approve assistance prospectively and via an established process than consider a retroactive payment.
The discussion covered whether the county should directly fund businesses to represent the county at events, how to measure return on investment (for example, "heads in beds" or visitor stays that increase TRT collections), and whether the county should set an annual pool of dollars for competitive grants to businesses. Commissioners noted the county recently added a tourism staff position, and several said promotional efforts should run through that office once roles and procedures are established.
During the discussion commissioners also referenced other promotional and partnership ideas: cooperative advertising with nearby jurisdictions (for example, Moffat County/Craig, Colorado), using county-produced collateral (visitor guides, digital presentations) at trade shows, and the need to avoid commitments that would overwhelm local lodging and services.
After discussion, a commissioner moved to deny the reimbursement request at this time, without prejudice to a future request brought through the TRT board or tourism department with a proposed set of criteria. The motion carried; commissioners voted in favor. The county did not commit any funds for the Quartzsite event and asked staff and the TRT board to develop a framework for future requests.
Commissioners and staff said they would welcome proposals that (1) are submitted in advance; (2) include expected metrics (for example, number of materials distributed or partner entities); and (3) follow any procedures the TRT board or tourism department establishes.
The matter will be available to be refiled after the TRT board or tourism staff develop recommended criteria and process for consideration by the commission.
