A contentious update from Uniform, the production company behind a feature film that received hotel-occupancy-tax (HOT) support, prompted sharp questioning from Pecos City Council and local hoteliers at the Dec. 18 meeting.

Brecken Hager and Ariana Verrado of Uniform (on the phone) said the film had been released on major platforms and translated into multiple languages and that they had secured distribution discussions seeking wider exposure. Hager and Verrado described ongoing work to exploit the film and pursue additional promotional partnerships.

Council members and hoteliers, however, faulted the project for not producing the expected measurable return on the HOT investment. Councilman Hector Carrasco pressed Uniform for contractual clarity, asking whether the company had signed royalty or repayment agreements and demanding that the filmmakers provide accounts of how HOT funds were spent and what measurable tourism impact had been achieved.

Uniform representatives said the film had not yet generated large revenues and asked for more time; council members insisted on written reporting and asked Uniform to appear in person at a future meeting and to send a comprehensive accounting by email ahead of the council’s January meetings. Several council members said the city should consider 'clawback' provisions in future HOT-funded agreements to protect taxpayers.