Copyright ©️ 2024 Lake City Silver World. All rights reserved.
For the first time in recent memory — and perhaps ever — increased revenues in the county’s Lodging Tax Fund allowed all six organizations seeking tourism promotion funds to receive full funding.
The decision to dispense $131,056 to the six applicants came during last Friday morning’s meeting of the Hinsdale County Lodging Tax Board chaired by Michael Murphy and with six board members attending.
Murphy was complimentary of each of the applicant organization’s marketing efforts and following the unanimous board decision extended his hearty congratulations “for all that you do… and you do a hell of a job.”
Joining Murphy in the favorable vote awarding funds to Lake City Arts, Lake City Downtown Improvement & Revitalization Team, Lake Fork Valley Conservancy, Hinsdale County Historical Society, Lake City/Hinsdale County Chamber of Commerce, and the Hinsdale County Marketing
Vol. 46, No. 37 Friday, December 15, 2023 Lake City, Hinsdale County, Colorado 81235 U.S.P.S. No. 436-630
75¢Committee were Sandra Wagner, Linda Payne, Jacqui Wonnacott, Mary Nettleton, and Greg Collins.
Money dispensed by the Lodging Tab Board is the result of a two percent tax on all lodging facilities which was paid by accommodations businesses both within Town of Lake City and Hinsdale County over the past year.
Murphy in opening last Friday’s workshop discussion noted that thanks to a banner accommodations business season in 2023, a total of $135,153.44 was added to the lodging tax coffers, of which $131,056 was ultimately dispensed, leaving $4,097.44 in the board coffers as a “rainy day fund” to aid in next year’s disbursements.
Based on this past season’s revenues, the lodging tax board chairman reflected, “it’s easy to see that marketing is doing its job.” Compared to $135,153.44 inflow from the accommodations tax, revenues from the two percent tax — which must be used for tourism marketing — has been less auspicious in past years, applicants for the funds typically being awarded only a portion of the money for which they apply.
This time last year, the lodging tax board had revenues totalling $114,000 to dispense. In 2021 lodging tax revenues were $125,000, in 2020 $98,000, and in 2019, $73,000.
Referring to the steady increase in funds which are available for marketing, Murphy recalled that early on in the process only a relatively miniscule amount was available to applicant organizations — in 2015, for instance, the grand total of marketing disbursement was $57,000.
Murphy was cautious in his outlook for marketing revenues from the upcoming tourism season, noting a predictable slowing in the economy may occur next year. “And that,” he added, “is just part of the cycle.”
Representatives from each of the applicant organizations attended last Friday’s lodging tax board meeting whether in person or remotely via the zoom platform. Each of the representatives was allowed time to briefly explain how their organizations would utilize the marketing funding.
For Hinsdale County Historical Society, Grant Houston expressed gratitude to the lodging board for its continual support of historical society marketing efforts. The historical society applied and was allowed $6,000 for promotion of events and general marketing next year, up from $4,500 which was awarded to the organization last year.
Houston referred to advertising efforts which resulted in 2,160 paid admissions to Hinsdale County Museum in 2023, as well as what he termed a “significant increase” for the historical society from its walking tours — among the best attended were the evening ghost walking tours led by Jesse Kendall which drew a record 409 attendees over the past summer — as well as other society-sponsored events ranging from lectures and book signings to the 6th Annual Pub Crawl, a benefit Chuckwagon dinner, and play presentationes hosted by the museum.
Lake City Arts received $2,000 in 2022 and successfully applied for $4,500 from 2023 lodging revenues. Represented by Executive Director Katie Maas Briggs on Zoom, Briggs referred to a “hell of a year” at Lake City Arts which experienced 64 percent growth as the result of marketing, noting in particular marketing efforts in SILVER WORLD and on social media. Sighing, Briggs reflecting on the 64 percent surge in 2023, and “hopefully next year we’ll keep the same trajectory.”
Briggs is new to the Executive Director position, telling marking directors “this is a new saddle I’ve never sat in before.” Murphy said he had also noticed a definite “uptick” in Lake City Arts activities, crediting Briggs “for the new persona which you have brought.”
Lake City DIRT’s application for $12,100 in lodging funds is divided into two components, $6,000 (same in 2022) which is considered as general marketing and $6,100 ($5,000 marketing funds last year) for event marketing to again be used for events such as Uncorked Wine & Music Festival, Constant Contact, and the Wednesday markets in Veterans’ Park.
Zach Dutra of Lake Fork Conservancy explained that the $1,500 to be received from lodging tax funds is earmarked to assist with the second annual StarFest which will be held June 7 and 8, 2024. Funds will be used for social networking and promotional items, according to Dutra, in the footsteps of last June’s highly successful inaugural StarFest which received high marks from both the public and members of the astronomy network, he said. From an economy perspective, Dutra said the early June StarFest is intended to extend the tourist season.
Kate Hopson for Lake City/Hinsdale County Chamber of Commerce detailed that the lodging tax
Lodging Tax,
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Lodging tax board met last Friday and awarded full funding to a total of six non-profit applicant organizations totaling $131,056. Lodging Tax board members, left to right, Linda Payne, Michael Murphy, Jacqui Wonnacott, and Greg Collins were joined on Zoom by Sandy Wagner and Mary Nettleton.board’s largest monetary request, the chamber’s $58,256, includes $39,006 for general marketing and $19,250 which is budgeted toward event marketing. In terms of general marketing, the chamber distributed 9,950 copies of its expanded vacation guide. The chamber’s visitors’ center witnessed an 85 percent increase over 2022 with in excess of 75,000 in-person contacts at the center. Part of the visitor center’s increase in attendance, according to Hopson, may be attributed in part to the new visitor center sign which was replaced early last summer after the old sign was damaged by an errant winter driver.
Other chamber successes enumerated by Hopson were the lakecity.com website which increased to 18,000 page views; all chamber-sponsored events were also a success, including end-of-season promotions such as the Oktoberfest and the winter BrewSki.
The final applicant for lodging tax funds was Hinsdale County Marketing Committee, represented by Lynn McNitt, which will receive $48,700 ($42,000 last year) for general marketing from this year’s lodging tax revenues.
McNitt said the marketing committee works closely with Lake City/Hinsdale County Chamber of Commerce and for 2024 will use a portion of its funds for an eight-page expansion of the chamber’s vacation guide highlighting the 150th anniversary of the founding of Hinsdale County.
In late meeting routine business last Friday, lodging tax board members Mary Nettleton and Linda Payne were re-appointed to their board seats.
In response to Murphy’s statement he would like to reapply as committee chairman, board member Jacqui Wonnacott immediately responded “absolutely,” Mary Nettleton adding, “you run great meetings.” Wonnacott made the motion to reappoint Murphy, the re-elected chair in turn quipping, “you can tell my wife you’re sorry.”
Financials were unanimously approved in the meeting awarding $131,056 to applicant non-profits for tourism marketing and the board retaining $4,097.44 for future expenses.
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