Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tourism Revenue Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council, CBC debate using innkeeper tax to fund Parks & Rec operations and capital projects
Summary
Council and the CBC reviewed a proposal to use innkeeper (tourism) tax revenue to cover portions of Parks & Recreation operations and capital expenses; CBC proposed funding about $155,000 of Parks & Rec requests, and council requested legal guidance and a formal allocation method before finalizing.
Council members and the Convention & Visitors Commission (CBC) reviewed a Parks & Recreation budget submission and whether innkeeper (tourism) tax revenues should cover a portion of operating and capital costs. CBC representatives provided a line-item analysis that estimated $155,093 (about 41% of Parks & Rec's requested budget) could be supported from the CBC fund, including roughly $60,000 in operating costs and $94,482 toward capital outlays such as restroom renovations and ball diamond lights.
Council members repeatedly sought a clear legal framework for sending tourism-tax dollars to a county department that is not a 501(c)(3). CBC asked the county attorney to prepare written guidance; members discussed routing funds to an existing nonprofit partner (CVB) or creating a designated nonprofit to receive and administer funds for Parks & Rec projects. The CBC agreed to revise the submission and return with a clarified package and legal sign-off before the council finalizes any shifts of expenses from general-fund taxpayers to tourism-tax revenue.
