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November 3, 2008 (Work Session)
<br />Page 1032
<br />anticipated shortfalls in the occupancy tax revenues. The following
<br />2008/2009 Occupancy Tax Report was reviewed:
<br />2008/2009 Jul August Se tember October November December Januar Februar
<br />Budgeted Occupancy
<br />Tax 5219,985 5213,613 $225,083 $285,700 5221,722 $193,572 $129,129 $159,092
<br />Actual Occupancy
<br />Tdx $208,090 $181,509
<br />Forecast Occu anc Tax $207,076 $250,700 $186,722 $118,752 $109,129 $129,092
<br />Difference -$11,945 -$32,109 -$18,007 -$35,000 -$35,000 -$29,820 -$25,000 -525,000
<br />Percents a Chan a -5.218 -15.038 -8.00& -12,258 -15.798 -17.29& -19.368 -16.238
<br />Mr. Crawford, Ms. Wagster and Mr. Mills responded to a variety of
<br />questions from the Board. The following issues were addressed: programs
<br />planned in Fiscal 2008/2009; a decrease in hotel occupancy; plans for money
<br />transferred to the contingency fund; reserve funds; etc.
<br />Chairman White stated there is no need to place the quarterly report on
<br />the agenda. He clarified it could be discussed at the regular meeting but is
<br />not necessary to be a separate item on the agenda. He stated he would
<br />entertain a motion to place this request on the Consent or New Business
<br />Agenda in the amount of $194,767.91.
<br />UPON MOTION of Commissioner Carruth, seconded by Commissioner Mynatt
<br />and unanimously carried, the Board voted to place the Budget Amendment for
<br />Shortfalls in Occupancy Tax Revenues in the amount of $199,767.91 on the
<br />November 17, 2008 Agenda as a Consent item.
<br />Tourism Authority - Hudget Amendment (Tourism 9timulua Package - $100,000.00)
<br />DeSales Wagster, Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB),
<br />presented a request for a Tourism Stimulus Package in the amount of
<br />$100,000.00. She addressed the following issues: the need for a super
<br />attractor to the county to a market that has job security and the ability to
<br />travel; a plan to target the military; e-marketing; etc. Ms. Wagster and
<br />Terry Crawford, Tourism Authority Chair, responded to questions from the
<br />Board. The following issues were addressed: military discounts; retired
<br />military, different tiers and income levels; military hotel rates and a
<br />request for an increase; costs involved; etc. Ms. Wagster further reported
<br />that this stimulus package should give the County a $9 to $5 million boost in
<br />hotel revenue within the next 90 days.
<br />UPON MOTION of Commissioner Privette, seconded by Commissioner Carruth
<br />and unanimously carried, the Board voted to place the Budget Amendment for
<br />the Tourism Stimulus Package totaling $100,000.00 on the November 17, 2008
<br />Agenda as a Consent item.
<br />Commerce Department - Public Hearing on 2007-2008 HOME Program Activities
<br />Kelly Sifford, Community Development Manager, reported the County is
<br />required by the HOME Program to hold a public hearing to report end-of-the-
<br />year accomplishments for FY 2007-2008. She reported three homes were fully
<br />rehabilitated during this fiscal year and bids for two other homes have been
<br />received. She further reported that $71,355.50 has been expended as of June
<br />30 on rehabilitation and administrative expenses.
<br />UPON MOTION of Commissioner Privette, seconded by Commissioner Carruth
<br />and unanimously carried, the Board voted to place the 2007-2008 HOME Program
<br />Activities on the November 17, 2008 Agenda as a New Business item and
<br />schedule a public hearing for 6:30 p.m.
<br />Commerce Department - Consent Agreement Extension for the Hawthorne
<br />RnhAi vi ai nn
<br />Susie Morris, Planning and Zoning Manager, presented the following
<br />information related to a request for a Consent Agreement extension for the
<br />Hawthorne Subdivision: originally, the developer volunteered to pay a
<br />$6,000.00 per lot mitigation payment; the developer is asking for a
<br />preliminary plat extension from Harrisburg Town Council on November 21; the
<br />developer has maintained the original build-out schedule; some schools
<br />effected by this project are still overcapacity and the developer is still
<br />willing to pay the original voluntary mitigation payment; etc.
<br />UPON MOTION of Commissioner Privette, seconded by Commissioner Carruth
<br />and unanimously carried, the Board voted to place the Consent Agreement
<br />extension for the Hawthorne Subdivision on the November 17, 2008 Agenda as a
<br />New Business item.
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