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Committee approves $100,000 occupancy-tax appropriation for downtown holiday decorations, 5–1
Summary
Using tourism (occupancy-tax) dollars, the committee approved a $100,000 appropriation to expand downtown holiday decorations; a councilmember called the amount excessive but most members said decorations supported downtown business and tourism.
The committee voted 5–1 to send Ordinance 02607-59 to council, appropriating $100,000 from occupancy-tax reserves for downtown holiday decorations. Mayor Paige Brown and staff emphasized that occupancy-tax funds must be used to attract visitors and cannot be spent on general services such as police or fire radios.
The mayor explained the intent: the funds are tourism dollars “to bring more visitors… He will come here, spend money in our businesses, and go back home.” An administrator noted that state law restricts the use of occupancy-tax revenues for tourism purposes only. Councilman Gervontz said he thought $100,000 “is too much money” and asked for more precise costing for completing the existing collection rather than expanding.
Supporters described last year’s decorations as bringing vibrancy and increased downtown visits, and staff said they use analytics to estimate visitor totals and impacts. The ordinance passed on a 5–1 vote and will move to the full council.
