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Val Verde County Adopts Revised HOT Policy, Allocates Grants to Local Events and Charity
Summary
The Val Verde County Commissioners adopted a revised hotel-occupancy-tax policy that tightens documentation and enables prefunding for qualifying nonprofits; the court approved funding for a childhood‑cancer foundation and routine event grants, including $10,000 to Blossoming Hope and $4,800 to the George Paul Memorial bull riding.
Val Verde County commissioners on Thursday adopted a revised hotel‑occupancy‑tax (HOT) policy that narrows allowable uses to match state guidance and establishes a new prefunding process for qualifying nonprofits.
The court’s judge said the revision removes language that differed from state rules and adds required forms and post‑event documentation. "Everything that has a red line through it, we'll take it out," the judge said when explaining the redlined changes to commissioners.
Under the new policy, the court may prefund organizations that are 501(c)(3) or 501(c) nonprofits once they submit approved forms and documentation showing how the funds will be used. For for‑profit applicants, commissioners said reimbursements will occur after events with proof of expenditures.
The court used the new policy framework to approve several HOT awards during the meeting. Commissioners approved a $10,000 allocation to Brooks / Blossoming Hope for Childhood Cancer Foundation, the same amount granted in previous years. After reviewing account balances and staff comments about eligibility, the court approved the award by voice vote.
For recurring community events, the court approved $4,800 for the George Paul Memorial bull riding, a long‑standing annual grant the court said attracts visitors and local spending. Commissioners discussed the difference between providing subsidies to for‑profit events and the economic benefit those events bring to hotels, restaurants and other local businesses before voting 5–0 to approve the allocation.
A separate request from the Border Classic rodeo drew sustained questioning about allowable costs and documentation. Commissioners noted some supporting invoices were denominated in Mexican pesos and questioned whether items such as heavy‑duty arena panels were acceptable HOT expenditures. After weighing attendance numbers compared with other events, one commissioner moved to fund $1,000 for the Border Classic; the motion carried.
The judge emphasized that the court retains discretion over awards and dollar amounts and that the revised policy clarifies allowable uses and required backup documentation. Commissioners directed staff to implement the new application and post‑event reporting forms required under the updated policy.
Next steps: staff will publish the revised application forms and process the approved awards, with reimbursable payments to for‑profit recipients to follow submission of post‑event documentation.
