City budget is less than previous year
CVB asks for more money
Staff reporter
Hillsboro City Council approved the proposed budget for 2008 following a hearing Aug. 14.
The estimate of expenditures for 2007 are $7,835,142 and the proposed expenditures for 2008 are $7,114,532, a reduction of more than $7,000.
During the hearing, Brenda Coryea of Hillsboro Convention and Visitors Bureau, asked the council for more money for tourism efforts. She presented a summary of projects and expenses in 2007 and a list of proposed projects and expenses for 2008.
Activities in 2007 were:
— Promotion by displaying information at booths at Kansas State Fair as part of the South Central Kansas Tourism Region and at Kansas Sport, Boat & Travel Show as part of Marion County Economic Development Council.
— Promotion by advertising on a billboard with Country Haven Inn on U.S.-50 by Strong City and a sign on the building with Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce.
— Memberships in South Central Kansas Tourism Region and Flint Hills Tourism Coalition.
— Updating of Hillsboro web site.
Coryea said the CVB wanted to advertise more and join the Wichita Convention and Visitors Bureau but were unable because of lack of funds.
Activities planned in 2008 are:
— Develop one-day tour itineraries, promote through the web site and brochures, and train a core group of volunteers to serve as Hillsboro ambassador tour guides.
— Continue to have exposure at state fair and boat show with Hillsboro volunteers assisting.
— Promote community by advertising in Kansas Travel Guide, Marion County Resource Guide, continue to advertise with Country Haven Inn, and update brochure.
— Maintain memberships in tourism groups.
— Make efforts to attract small groups, committee, or small conventions.
— Assist in the promotion of activities at the museums.
— Continue to update and strengthen Hillsboro's presence on the Internet.
In 2007 and previous years, the city had given $7,200 per year to the CVB. With the proposed expenses, a total of $9,790 would be needed in 2008.
Mayor Delores Dalke said the hotel/motel room tax was established to support the CVB. The tax was in place before Country Haven Inn was established. She informed the council that one-half of the bed tax was rebated to the motel during its first five years of operation and now the city collects and retains all of the tax.
In 2006, $7,880 was collected. So far in 2007, $5,157 has been received.
Dalke suggested the CVB receive all of the room tax collected since it is for that purpose. She continued that tourism successes will mean more people staying overnight in town which means more tax revenue that could go to the organization, an added incentive.
Councilman Bob Watson asked if there should be a minimum that the city gives to the organization in case the tax amount is less than anticipated.
Coryea responded it would helpful if there was an amount that the CVB could count on.
"What if we agree to do $9,790?" Watson asked.
Dalke asked where that additional amount would be taken?
"I'd rather say that we guarantee $7,200 and any tax more than that," she said.
Councilman Shane Marler suggested continuing the budgeted support of $7,200 for 2008, and then plan to expand the CVB budget in 2009.
Other comments related to tourism included the importance of continuing to have a booth display at the state fair.
"The state fair appeals to people from western Kansas," Dalke said, which is the center of Hillsboro's recruitment.
It also was noted that the state fair typically starts a week before the Arts and Crafts Fair which is a good way to promote the event.
Marler said he would like to see the CVB capitalize more on reservoir visitors.
