Clovis Lodgers Tax Board approves $54,000 for events, limits additional Lions Club funding

Clovis — The City of Clovis Lodgers Tax Advisory Board approved $54,000 in funding on Jan. 14 for local events and conferences, awarding marketing and promotional grants to rodeos, a wedding expo, a county-hosted conference and other community events while limiting additional funding for a second request from the Clovis Evening Lions Club.

Board members said the available balance and typical future requests require tighter prioritization. At the start of the meeting staff told the board the current balance available was $161,339.07, with about $53,779.69 remaining in the bimonthly allocation; the January packet of requests totaled about $147,996, and projected March and May requests could produce a negative balance if all asks were funded.

The lodgers tax funds are intended for marketing and promotion to drive overnight stays and visitor spending. Board members repeatedly emphasized they were focusing awards on line items that qualified under the city's promotional rules — primarily advertising, promotional items and related marketing costs — and not reimbursing expenses purchased before formal approval.

Applicants and board discussion

Joel Edwards, representing the Clovis Evening Lions Club, sought funds for the club's 97th state convention. "We're expecting ... 180 to 200 people to attend," Edwards said, and he told the board attendees would book 75 to 90 rooms, with most activities at the Days Inn and the banquet and dance at the Civic Center. Board members noted Edwards' original application amount changed during review and said this was…