The City Advertising and Promotion Commission met Dec. 11 for the last regular meeting of the year. Commissioners James DeVito and Bobbie Foster were absent, but a quorum was present.
Finance Director Rick Bright presented the numbers showing that October tax collections from restaurants were down by three percent, while hotels were up by 12 percent, with a net increase of $28,555 for 2019.
Total expenses have been held within the projected budget, and gross income for the year through November is $105,582 more than projected, a seven percent growth over forecasts.
Commissioners discussed Mayor Butch Berry’s request for the CAPC to contribute funds to the remodel of the Auditorium basement. While the commission is in a good financial position with a cash balance of more than $700,000, Tourism Director Lacey Ekberg reminded commissioners that tourism is volatile and may not always show steady growth, and that factors affecting tax collections are political, economic, weather, gas prices – all of which are out of the control of the CAPC.
With that in mind, Ekberg suggested a conservative approach to capital improvements. After discussion the commission gave a general consensus in favor of contributing to Auditorium upgrades, but no dollar amount was confirmed. Further discussion and a possible vote will be expected in the early months of 2020.
The next CAPC meeting will be Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 6 p.m. in the Auditorium.