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AMP staff warns reserves nearly depleted; commission schedules workshop to set grant limits
Summary
Staff told the commission recent allocations used nearly all reserves and recommended setting caps or withholding grants; commissioners agreed to a workshop July 24 to update bylaws and set grant limits ahead of an August application deadline.
Commission staff warned that the commission has repeatedly allocated projected revenue plus fund balance in recent funding cycles, depleting reserves and exposing the body to shortfalls unless it alters its approach.
"We're quickly depleting any fund balance, any reserves that there are," Tyler told the commission, urging members to consider either not awarding grants this year, setting caps (figures discussed included $100,000 and $150,000), or otherwise building reserves. Tyler said the commission could choose to hold back revenue into a reserve for next year instead of allocating every penny this year.
Commissioners discussed options and agreed to schedule a workshop to amend bylaws and set formal grant limits and multi-year terms so allocations better match advertising-and-promotion revenue. The commission set grant application timelines (applications due in August) and set a workshop date of July 24 at 4:30 p.m. to finalize policy ahead of fall allocations.
Members also flagged enforcement issues: staff noted a list of restaurants and hotels that had not remitted A&P taxes to the commission, and counsel said collection options include filing liens and civil collection processes used in past years when the city pursued collection through a business-friendly approach.
The workshop is intended to produce clear rules on grant caps, reserve minimums and removal/appointment processes so applicants and commissioners have predictable expectations going forward.
