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Warrensburg board boosts Chamber support to $10,000 after debate over scale of increase
Summary
After extended discussion about membership and tourism impact, the Warrensburg Town Board voted to raise its annual contribution to the Chamber of Commerce from $5,000 to $10,000, approving a $5,000 increase and asking the chamber for membership growth metrics and follow-up reporting.
The Warrensburg Town Board voted to increase its annual contribution to the Chamber of Commerce by $5,000, raising the town’s direct support from $5,000 to $10,000.
The vote followed a lengthy presentation and question-and-answer session during which the chamber asked the town to raise publicity funding to $20,000 a year. The chamber’s presenter said the additional funds would be dedicated to publicity for Warrensburg — radio spots, advertising and promotion of events such as the large annual garage-sale fundraiser — and cited a reported $10 million economic impact from that event.
Jack Bartlett, president of the Chamber of Commerce board, told the board that comparable nearby towns offer larger municipal contributions for chamber publicity and that extra funding would help turn pass-through visitors into stops. “We want to try to change that and how can we make Warrensburg a drive into the community?” Bartlett said.
Board members expressed mixed views on the requested jump to $20,000. Several members endorsed an increase but favored a smaller, incremental approach. One council member said they would support rising the town’s payment in stages to see demonstrable results before committing the full amount. After discussion, Council member Jack Bartlett moved a $5,000 increase; the motion was seconded by Scotty. The motion passed by voice vote with recorded responses from council members in attendance: Council person Con (Yes), Council person Rounds (Yes), Supervisor Gary (Yes), Council person Southern (Nay), and another council member recorded as Yes.
The board clarified the source of the funds: the supplemental support will come from occupancy‑tax revenue earmarked for publicity and tourism promotion rather than the general fund. Board members also requested that the chamber provide membership growth metrics and a summary of how the additional dollars were spent so the board can evaluate further increases.
The board’s decision was framed as a compromise to sustain chamber advertising and to allow the town to reassess after measurable progress. The chamber representatives said they would work on membership outreach and provide follow-up reporting to the board.
What happens next: the additional $5,000 will be included in the town’s current budget allocations for publicity; the board asked for progress updates and membership metrics in the coming year.
