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Executive director reports sales and occupancy taxes down; fundraising and Birding Nature Center updates
Summary
Executive Director Darla reported a 3.8% drop in sales tax and a 10.75% drop in occupancy tax for March, noted two hoteliers owed past taxes, provided updates on fundraising events and Birding Nature Center attendance, and previewed meeting scheduling for June and July.
Executive Director Darla briefed the board on key economic indicators and activity updates, reporting that sales tax receipts were down 3.8% for March and that occupancy tax collections were down 10.75% for the month.
“ There were 2 hoteliers that have not paid their taxes all year and it was almost a million dollars,” Darla said, noting the delinquent collections had appeared on recent city council agendas and that payment or settlement discussions were ongoing. She said one of the hoteliers had reached an arrangement to begin paying and that staff would reconcile collections in monthly reports.
Darla also reported building-permit values for April were unusually low—roughly $1,031,260 in the period—and flagged the Birding Nature Center (referred to in materials as the Birding/Boerding center) for attention: admissions were down in April, even though field-trip attendance had been strong. She said staff are working with the nature-center board and management on marketing and operational changes.
On events and fundraising, Darla summarized the Art Business Incubator (ABI) fundraiser held earlier in the season, saying the event raised about $6,000 in its first year with substantial donated goods and services and that organizers expected to expand the event next year. She also noted the Shallow Sport boat tournament and other fishing events, and that tourism and tournament traffic contribute to marina and hospitality demand.
Darla told the board she planned to post the June agenda by June 10 and that she would be out of town for part of June; the board discussed canceling the June meeting if there were no substantive agenda items and holding the regular meeting in July instead.
