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Des Moines council leans to shift lodging-tax dollars from single July 4 drone show to multiple signature events
Summary
City staff proposed moving lodging-tax funding away from one large July 4 drone show toward two-to-three year-round signature events. Council members said the public wants more events and, citing an expected lodging-tax decrease, directed staff to explore alternatives and to not renew the current drone contract.
Assistant City Manager AJ Johnson Newton asked the Des Moines City Council on Feb. 5 whether the city should continue funding a single July 4 ‘‘signature’’ celebration or reallocate lodging-tax dollars across two to three year-round signature events.
Newton said the July 4 event has been treated as the city’s primary signature event because lodging-tax revenue is intended to attract visitors. ‘‘Last year the lodging-tax portion cost us $117,175,’’ she told the council, adding an estimated $5,900 in additional general-fund staff time.…
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