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Travel and Tourism board proposes grant rules and a $10,300 market support; council opts for invoicing method this season
Summary
Travel and Tourism Chair Frank Bell recommended lodging-tax grant guidelines (including a $10,000 cap), a $10,300 Ranch Market grant for the expanded farmers market, and two board reappointments; council questioned a town-sponsored grant mechanism and agreed to have the market manager submit invoices this season rather than a formal grant, while asking staff to develop clearer future processes.
Frank Bell, chairman of the Travel and Tourism Board, presented three recommendations to the council on June 9: adopt additional funding guidelines for lodging-tax grants (largely adapted from Lincoln County policies with a $10,000 maximum award and requirements for town acknowledgment on marketing materials), approve a $10,300 grant to support the expanded Star Valley Ranch Farmers Market including a market manager position, and reappoint Deb Stafford and Tyler Gomez with a role swap (Stafford from alternate to voting member; Gomez from voting member to alternate).
Council discussion focused on process and sponsorship. Councilman Ellis questioned whether the town can legally request money from itself when the application lists the Town of Star Valley Ranch as the sponsor. The Mayor said he was uncomfortable with the council voting to fund itself; Councilman Merrill explained that funds would flow through the town and described an invoicing approach modeled on the Town of Alpine.
Because the Travel and Tourism Board had not fully considered the sponsorship implications, council agreed the cleanest short-term approach for the current season is to revert to last year's method: the market manager will submit invoices for payment from lodging-tax funds rather than the town acting as formal grant sponsor. The Mayor committed to working with the Treasurer to confirm the correct accounting approach and asked staff to return with a clearer policy and application addendum in future months.
