Geneva weighs expansion of Destination Geneva grants, debates insurance, measurement and eligibility

Geneva city officials discussed an expansion of the Destination Geneva grant program that would offer reimbursement grants—up to $10,000 per event or project—to support activities that the city says are intended to attract nonresident overnight visitors.

City Attorney Scott Finson framed the discussion by saying the program must be grounded in the municipal hotel-operators-occupation-tax statute and the constitutional requirement that public funds serve a public purpose. "We cannot give our money away," Finson said, adding that grants must "primarily and directly advance" the objective of attracting overnight visitors to Geneva.

The proposal, introduced by staff, would keep a reimbursement-based structure and tighten eligibility, documentation and oversight. Alex, a city staff member who introduced the item, told the committee the expanded draft would allow applicants to "apply for reimbursement up to $10,000 per event until the funds are exhausted," while smaller $2,500 awards would remain available. Staff and the city attorney said the…