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Council approves up to $15,000 in hotel-occupancy-tax funds to host TMCA microseminar in October
Summary
Council approved using up to $15,000 from the hotel-occupancy-tax reserve to host a Texas Municipal Clerks Association microseminar Oct. 1, 2026, at Lamar State College Orange Shahhan Event Center; staff estimated 50–100 attendees and 80–120 hotel room nights and said hosting could position Orange as a regional venue for municipal training.
City staff requested approval to spend up to $15,000 from the hotel-occupancy-tax (HOT) reserve to host a Texas Municipal Clerks Association (TMCA) microseminar on Oct. 1, 2026, at the Shahhan Event Center at Lamar State College Orange. Jay, the department head responsible for HOT funds, told council the current HOT reserve can accommodate the request and that staff intend to use the funds for eligible conference expenses (facility rental, collaborative marketing) under Texas Tax Code 351, which restricts HOT funds to tourism and hotel-industry promotion.
Jennifer, Devon and other staff explained TMCA is launching an inaugural series of microseminars and that Orange was selected as one of two pilot host cities for 2026. The proposed program, focusing on city resiliency and emergency management, targets municipal professionals and clerks and is expected to draw attendees from within a 100‑mile radius (including Louisiana). Staff estimated 50–100 attendees; with a modest turnout of 60 participants they projected 80–120 hotel room nights and related spending that would benefit local hotels and restaurants.
Council approved the expenditure and related licensing agreements to use LSCO facilities. Staff said the event aims to build recurring conference business and to showcase the Shahhan Event Center as a regional venue.
Why it matters: Using HOT funds to host a professional conference is allowable when the event attracts out‑of‑town attendees and generates hotel stays; staff argued the microseminar could bring overnight visitors and recurring business to the city’s hospitality sector.
What happens next: Staff will finalize the license and facility agreements with Lamar State College Orange, promote the microseminar and report outcomes including attendance and hotel-night totals.
