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Wimberley Council approves HOT grants for Lions Club and ALS ride
Summary
Wimberley City Council approved two hotel‑occupancy‑tax grants: $4,000 to the Wimberley Lions Club for regional digital marketing and $5,000 to support marketing for the Ride to Defeat ALS, after staff recommended full funding for the Lions request and a reduced reimbursable amount for the ALS event.
The Wimberley City Council on March 5 approved two hotel‑occupancy‑tax (HOT) grants aimed at drawing overnight visitors to the city.
City staff recommended fully funding a $4,000 request from the Wimberley Lions Club to pay for digital advertising targeting visitors outside the area and encouraging overnight stays. Michelle Woods, the staff presenter, said the Lions’ marketing plan scored highly under a new HOT scoring framework and had already added links and “stay a little longer” verbiage to promotional materials. Council approved the grant by voice vote, 4‑0.
The council also considered a $5,000 HOT grant request from ALX Texas to market the Ride to Defeat ALS, scheduled for March 20–22 in Wimberley. Staff told council that, based on estimated room nights and a 7 percent HOT rate, the city’s direct HOT recapture from the event might be roughly $2,600, and recommended reimbursable support up to $2,500. Trisha Ward of the ALS Association described participant fundraising and the association’s use of funds for advocacy and research.
Despite staff’s recommendation to cap reimbursement at $2,500, a councilmember moved to approve the full $5,000 as presented; the motion passed unanimously, 4‑0. Council members cited personal connections to ALS in expressing support.
The approvals were taken as separate motions during the consent and regular agenda; each passed by voice vote. The council did not receive any registered public commenters on the items.
