The Hope Tourism Commission meet on Tuesday, March 10 at the Visitor Center McLarty Room. After approving the amended minutes. The board then approved their finance and expenses.
City Manager, Catherine Cook gave an update on the tourism tax permits, with only Dominos without a current permit. She also updates the tourism tax payments. Letters have been sent to those who have failed to pay. She also stated some have paid in the past but do have late payments.
They brought back a discussion for making an investment in billboard advertising. They revived a $850 cost from Lindmark. The price would include half set up charge. Use of highway department signs was also brought up along with adding a website to the sign for interstate travelers to be able to view online. Sharon Caldwell made a motion to try to billboard advertising for a year, and was seconded by Don Still.
City Park administration assistant, Laura Cowling presenters the commission with tourism tax numbers from city’s in Arkansas. Hope has received at around $500,000-$550,000 over the past couple of years in tourism tax with 22% revenue being from our local hotels.
The tourism commission is going half and half with the Hope Downtown Network to purchase banners for the street poles in Downtown. They will order 61 banners, that will be double sided and weighted for protection. The original cost agreed with was for $2,500 but total came out with both parties paying $3,000. They made a motion to approve the additional five hundred dollars.
The need for dirt on the ball fields was brought to their attention. More research would be done on how much would be needed to get the fields in top shape! They noted of the Debra McMasters softball tournament, Mud Nationals, and the Jonquil Festival that will all be happening this weekend.
Under citizens requests they discussed with hotel owners and management about the 1% tax for county and the hotels wanting to reduce the tourism tax for hotels to 1% while the county tax is ongoing. The board made a motion to table the discussion to take further consideration. The meeting then adjourned.