Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tourism And Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves application for 'rhino' attraction grant using transient guest tax match
Summary
Council voted unanimously to apply for an attraction development grant to fund a public-art 'rhino' tour; staff reported 28 pledges toward a 150-rhino goal and proposed using transient guest tax funds (city share shown ~ $12,409) for the required match.
Megan presented the attraction development grant application for a public-art 'rhino' tour and asked the council to approve submitting the application before the deadline this week. She told the council, "We have up to 28 pledges now," and said the project aims for 150 rhino units with additional murals to reach the funding goal. Megan explained the grant is a 60/40 match (city responsible for 60 percent) and that the city’s cash match could come from transient guest tax funds, which by policy may be used for tourism, attractions and economic development-related activities.
Council members questioned funding mechanics and whether the transient guest tax is an appropriate source. Staff and Megan said transient guest tax revenues are restricted to tourism-related uses and that the city historically collects more in guest tax than it spends on tourism activities. A council member asked whether the cash match shown in the packet (about $12,409) could be covered from those funds; Megan confirmed that was the intent.
A motion to approve the grant application as presented carried unanimously.
