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 the Lions Club's second request; the board said it had already reached the midpoint of the Lions Club request and would not add further funds beyond that earlier allocation.

Mike, owner and operator of Vachero Productions (Cowboy Days), asked for support for a PBRA-affiliated rodeo and associated events. He said most of the event costs (talent, chuck wagon, prizes) had already been ordered and paid; the board advised that lodgers-tax-funded purchases must follow the city's timeline and that marketing purchases should be made only after formal approval. The board awarded $5,000 for the event's qualifying marketing costs.

Sarah Stevens, general manager of the Clovis Civic Center, presented the Clovis Wedding Expo and showed promotional books used to reach prospective brides, grooms and planners. The board approved $5,000 for advertising and promotional materials for that event.

Jerry Fuljum, representing Pioneer Days Rodeo, described the event's growth and its draw from multiple states. "We're expecting nearly 600 contestants this year," Fuljum said, and noted the rodeo had previously drawn large crowds and national exposure; the board approved funds for barrel-racing-related promotion in the amount of $6,000 and incorporated the rodeo in its allocations.

Christian Price, community services administrator for Curry County, said the county is hosting the New Mexico Counties annual conference and described its local economic impact: "This conference ... generates roughly $215,000 in revenue for the host county and the cities," Price said. The board approved $8,000 for conference promotion and related items.

Becky Carpenter, representing the CHS Boys Basketball Booster Club, described plans for an alumni-oriented "Legends" tournament and a concurrent high-school tournament. Carpenter said the group planned to provide participation shirts, medals and trophies; she told the board they might charge a small gate to cover referees and custodial costs. The board approved $4,000 toward qualifying promotional and award expenses; staff noted only a portion of the original $17,000 request qualified under lodgers-tax rules.

Chris Egbert, representing Operation Phoenix Outdoors, asked for funding for the organization's annual banquet and summarized participant and lodging figures from prior years. "Last year, we had 272 people attend. It was 19% higher than the year before," Egbert said; the board approved $6,000 for the banquet's qualifying expenses.

Budget decisions and vote

After discussion and line-item adjustments the board proposed the following allocations: Barrel racing promotion — $6,000; Cowboy Days (marketing) — $5,000; Clovis Wedding Expo — $5,000; Curry County mounted patrol support/patrol-related promotion — $20,000; New Mexico Counties annual conference — $8,000; CHS Boys Basketball Legends Tournament — $4,000; Operation Phoenix Outdoors banquet — $6,000. The board moved to adopt this slate, with Mel (board member) making the motion and Freddie Bryant seconding. The board voted in favor and the motion carried.

The board also decided not to increase the Clovis Evening Lions Club award beyond a previously approved midpoint allocation, citing the meeting's constrained budget and the Lions Club's second request status.

Implementation notes

Staff reminded applicants that marketing or promotional purchases made before official city commission approval are not reimbursable; the board directed applicants to coordinate purchase timelines with city staff to ensure expenses qualify after final approval. Board members also urged applicants to prioritize cost-effective marketing given the limited pool of lodgers-tax funds.

What's next

The board scheduled its next meeting for Tuesday, March 11 at 5:30 p.m. in the same location. Several applicants were told to work with city staff on contract details and to clarify promotional line items before invoicing.

Votes at a glance

- Barrel racing promotion: approved $6,000 (approved) - Cowboy Days (Vachero Productions — marketing): approved $5,000 (approved) - Clovis Wedding Expo (Civic Center): approved $5,000 (approved) - Curry County mounted patrol / patrol-related promotion: approved $20,000 (approved) - New Mexico Counties annual conference (host county promotion): approved $8,000 (approved) - CHS Boys Basketball Legends Tournament (awards/promotional items): approved $4,000 (approved) - Operation Phoenix Outdoors annual banquet: approved $6,000 (approved) - Clovis Evening Lions Club (second request): no additional funds beyond the prior midpoint allocation (no additional award at this meeting)

(Motion to adopt the above allocations: Mel, moved; Freddie Bryant, second; vote in favor — motion carries.)