Monthly budget reports showed $12,406.34 for income in November, but reflects Hotel Occupancy for October. November revenue, which shows on the January report, was about $3,000 less last year. The Tourism building rental was $2,075 so far for the 2019-2020 fiscal year and now goes to a separate account for building maintenance. The department is 22% into their budget revenue for this year.
A little over $19,000 was been spent on advertising in December but Board President Colleen Taylor noted did include bills from November. Approximately 37.4% of the expense budget has been used so far this year.
HOT update
A new BnB is opening soon. Turner Cottages on Houston Street should open in the next couple of months, per Taylor. Taylor said she’s been working with owner Jill Hall on getting them setup with the City. Tax collection.
“If everyone currently knows of a BnB or Airbnb operating within 5e city limits, we need to know immediately so they can sign up and pay hot tax,“ Taylor said.
Advertising
Board Member Pam Thomas provided an update on the boards advertising activities saying the city would co to use to place print ads in Bus Tour magazine, Southern Traveler, and Ride Texas While they wait for the proposal from the Anderson Group. The city’s generic commercial, developed last year will continue to run in three demographic areas.
“We need to make sure we have all the events coming up,” said Thomas. “If event organizers will send me or Danielle (at the Tourism building) digital copies of their flyers and posters I can put them on the city’s Instagram page d make sure the event is on the calendar.”
Spring events coming include a new Jeep Show in March, as well as the Outlaw Nationals in April, Quilt show in January, and Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday Party in April.
Tourism Building Rental Contract
The new Transportation and Convention Center Rental Contract is still not complete despite the goal of having it ready for city council approval by January 1. The committee, headed by Robin Johnson, hopes to send it to the full board in the next week with a vote planned for the next board meeting.
“It’s a small increase in rental fees,” said Johnson, “but I can see an easy extra $10,000 in revenue for the 2020-2021 year. There are too many rentals already in place to try and put it into effect this year.”
Christmas Season
“I want to say Thank You to Joe McDonald and his crew for taking down tree,” Taylor said. “ and all the help from Nate Ames, Mary Nash, and the JISD Ag Department for all the work in making the Christmas Tree a success and helping to un-decorate.”