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LTAC Meeting Minutes, 7-22-08
Attendees were: John Austin, Dennis Richards, Allen Sartin, Joy Baisch, Jamie
Hodgson, Bill Roney, Bill Tennent, Debi Bainbridge, Kitti deLong
Minutes
John Austin requested a change to the minutes on the second page, where
“John suggested leaving out percentages,” change “in depth” to “in more general
terms.” Debi made a motion to approve the minutes as corrected. Joy seconded.
Passed.
2009 Proposal Packet
John reported that he had spoken to Lorna about the history of the percentages
in the Ordnance covering expenditure of LTAC funds and she felt that the
Commissioners did not want a lot of money going into building facilities. Debi
suggested combining the first and third clauses, changing the second clause to
“not more than 25%,” and taking out “tourism development strategies.”
Discussion about whether LTAC monies can be used to advertise an event within
Jefferson County. Discussion about co-op advertising and high priority on page
12 of 2009 Proposal. John suggested that the State is looking for an economic
impact report.
Page 13 of 2009 Proposal Packet: Allen felt that what the legislature was trying
to do was clear up a lot of problems in the old law. This new law was adopted on
June 12, 2008. John felt that when the County needs to make a report, they will
make that report from the information they receive from the LTAC sections.
On page 13 under “promotional activities,” John suggested changing “primarily”
to “solely.” Discussion. Under “Background Information,” take out the sentence,
“In the Jefferson County, the total excise tax on lodging is ??.4%.”
Correct the typo on page 10 under item 2, “Available Funding for 2009,” change
“but no limited to . . .” to “but not limited to . . .”
Kitti asked if we have to use the 2009 Proposal Packet draft as it is. It appears to
be more event oriented rather than promotion oriented. Dennis felt that we do not
have to use this draft but we do need to have a system that is the same for all the
organizations in the County. John felt that the TCC Proposal would have to be
written in a way that is fairly flexible. Allen felt that the statute is much narrower
now than it has been in that it specifically states that we must track “special
events and festivals.” Joy stated that special events and festivals could not be
supported in the past with LTAC funds. Discussion. We need to be able to report
and track what we do.
Allen felt that this new law will be more of a challenge for Chambers than for
VCB’s or the TCC. In regards to the attendance count at events and festivals that
is now required to be reported on the 2009 Proposal Packet, it was decided that
we not make the head count too complicated, but give an estimate if a count is
not available.
Question: How do we decide what special events we will promote one year
ahead of the budget. Allen stated that we can be general and say that we will
promote, for instance, six events.
Discussion about when each entity needs to have their Budget 2009 submitted to
the County Commissioners on the new forms. September 1 is the date the
general financial information for budgets are due to the Commissioners so that
they can advertise a budget by September 15. The completed plan (on the new
budget submission forms) is due October 31. The Commissioners will adopt a
budget in October.
John stated that he wants to get a comment from the state about whether this
terminology regarding “events and festivals” is an addition to the statute, or in
place of the old terminology. Allen stated he thought this replaced the old
terminology.
Discussion about special events and promotions and how we satisfy the
requirement to report 2008 special event statistics after the fact, such as
attendance. John will ask for clarification about whether this new statute replaces
old terminology, or adds terminology to the old statute. Debi pointed out that
under “Definitions,” state law changed in 2007 to include “operations” of tourism
events in the definition of “tourism promotion” on page 11.
Next meeting will be August 29, 2008 at 10:00 am at Jefferson County
Courthouse.
There was discussion about whether LTAC Jefferson County needs to advertise
the meetings. It was decided that since there was only one Commissioner on this
advisory committee, we do not have to advertise.
Jamie moved that we adjourn at 12:03 pm. Joy seconded. Motion passed.