Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tourism Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public asks for more transparency in tourism funding; staff to research best practices
Summary
A resident urged more public involvement in how tourism funds are allocated. Tourism staff said they will gather best practices and present potential guideline changes during the FY27 budget process.
At the public participation portion of the meeting, Mark Mayhood of Effingham urged council to increase public involvement in decisions about tourism funding and suggested opening a consolidated application period to allow entrepreneurs and small businesses to apply together.
Tourism and city staff said they have been in contact with downtown retailers and liquor license holders about potential tourism funding requests and that they are compiling project lists and budget figures. Staff said they will research how other communities run tourism grant programs, collect best practices and present options—potentially including a defined application window and revised grant guidelines—during the FY27 budget process.
Council members said they expect to review proposals and discuss priorities during the budget review to determine whether to increase grant authority or change the application process. Staff noted that larger projects historically come before council for approval.
