I’ve probably written and rewritten this opinion piece three or four times. How to put all my thoughts on Issue 3, which abolishes the 3 percent CAPC tax on food, beverage, and lodging, into a single editorial?
We’ll start with that I don’t want to see the CAPC dissolved. Having been the beat reporter when the commission’s main contribution to Eureka Springs was drama and turmoil in the shape of going after employees over falsehoods, I see an astronomical improvement with the commission we have now. I also see it in the staff we had during the pandemic where the commission took full control of day-to-day activities. Those in the office are nothing short of zealous in promoting Eureka Springs in the best way possible.
Setting up a vote on fully dissolving the CAPC for the sake of “starting a discussion” is a childish excuse for getting one’s anger out. We can have a conversation without threatening the livelihoods of those who work here and/or own their business in this town. It certainly did light a fire under everyone, though.
The $2 million dollars the CAPC receives and spends annually for the promotion of Eureka Springs and the operation of the Auditorium and events can’t be replaced easily. At minimum we’d be waiting two years for a vote on a replacement tax and there’s no guarantee it would pass. In that two years Bentonville and Fayetteville will happily scoop up the traffic coming to our area. I love the line Jack Moyer has used several times in various public gatherings, “Who will pick up the phone?” It’ll be everyone else who isn’t in this city.
Marketing is not cheap, and Eureka Springs already must punch above its weight class to compete with cities with far more massive budgets. It’s a mix of a miracle and a testament to how amazing our town truly is that we do. Ditching all marketing funds and forcing businesses to try their best just on their own weakens how far we can get out there. Marketing, especially digital marketing, is not pay to play, it’s pay to win. The more money, the more often you are seen, the more often people will want to learn more. If we don’t pay, we don’t even get the chance to play.
The argument that the $2 million should be used for infrastructure should not even be brought to the table. That money doesn’t even get collected in the first place if the CAPC tax is dissolved. Want that changed? Go talk to Mr. Harlan Breaux in the State House. Make him earn his slot as your representative on this issue. CAPC funds use is dictated by the state, not the city.
I’m not sure I want to even tackle the idea that our “best minds around” can come up with a way to replace a marketing budget. As much as I enjoy playing Dungeons & Dragons, I don’t think I can compete with the ludicrous fantasy that town can simply vomit a solution to make up for $2 million that is used for both regional and national marketing.
All of this is to say I’m waiting on pins and needles to see if we as a community put our livelihoods or our anger first. The energy to get signatures on the petition could have been used organizing proper meetings with residents, business owners, and workers on what we’d like to see for the future of Eureka Springs. The energy to educate on what the CAPC does and how it functions could have been used discussing with commissioners and staff how to spend their budget and savings responsibly.
I hope those who can vote ‘No’ will vote ‘No’ so that we can continue having those conversations without so many wondering how far visitation will drop next year.
Jeremiah Alvarado