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ATAX committee to recommend uniform budget template, mandatory pre-application meetings and tagline use
Summary
The advisory committee recommended that new ATAX applicants attend a mandatory pre-application meeting, complete a uniform budget template, and include the 'Heart of the Lowcountry' tagline or approved hashtags in paid advertising; committee also discussed restricting awards until prior grants are spent.
Committee members reviewed a set of proposed application and scoring changes intended to increase transparency and better measure tourism draw. The committee agreed to a uniform mandatory budget template, mandatory pre-application meetings for new events and a requirement that paid radio/TV advertising include a tagline noting support from the Town of Bluffton accommodation tax funds (e.g., use of the "Heart of the Lowcountry" logo or an approved hashtag).
Members also discussed a proposal to withhold additional awards to applicants until prior awards are demonstrated as spent, with limited exceptions (annual events returning each year). Staff said score‑sheet banding will be revised and sent with the committee's recommendations to town council for final action.
