Perry County CVB treasurer warns of sharp revenue drop; board sets $500 per-transaction limit

The Perry County Visitors Bureau board received a financial update at its March 5 meeting indicating a significant shortfall in lodging‑tax (innkeeper) revenue after the county’s Holiday Inn Express closed. Treasurer (introduced as "Mister Stimley") said two withdrawals requested by the county auditor’s office — about $29,517 in December and $25,555.01 on Feb. 9 — left the account with roughly $5,000–$5,942 as of March 5. He warned that the loss of Holiday Inn Express revenue reduced typical monthly receipts from a historical range of $12,000–$15,000 down to about $5,000.

The treasurer recommended keeping reserves and reviewing the account monthly through July, when he expects hotel revenue to recover if reopening timelines hold. Board members discussed where to hold funds and whether to sweep accounts into the Indiana Trust account; the treasurer recommended leaving funds in Indiana Trust because it provides liquidity without CD penalties and an interest rate close to local bank offerings (discussed as about 3.6%).

After debate about operational flexibility, the board voted to allow the director/administrator to make purchases up to $500 per transaction without prior board approval; any purchase above $500 requires board approval. The motion carried. The board also reviewed and approved ramp‑account payments and a list of checks (city payments, tournament sponsorships, Chamber dues and other routine items); one board member abstained on the city check.

The treasurer said the board has reserves that could be drawn if needed but recommended monthly monitoring and potential reserve use only if necessary. The board asked staff for clearer monthly reporting and to follow up on the status of a prospective Hampton Inn. No emergency budget changes were authorized at the meeting.