Lodger's Tax Committee

VILLAGE OF ANGEL FIRE Lodger’s Tax Board Meeting Minutes Wednesday, February 14, 2024 10:00 AM, Village Hall Call to Order Roll Call Present were Owen Curry, Don Willingham, Justin Temple, AJ Farmer; Nanci Bush attended by phone. Approval of the Agenda Motion made to approve the agenda and seconded. Motion carried 5-0. Introduction of Mayor and Council Members Introduction of Board Members Selection of Advisory Board Chairperson and Secretary Owen Curry was elected unanimously as Chairman and Nanci Bush as Secretary. Tourism Director Report OLD BUSINESS A. Clarification of Statutes and Bylaws Chairman Curry brought up a concern that Angel Fire may need to amend our Village ordinance to mirror the State matrix for the collection and use of Lodger’s Tax funds and forward to the Village Council. Motion carried 5-0. B. Budget and Financial reserves Chairman Curry pointed out that the Lodger’s Tax is being underutilized and there is concern that if not used, it would revert to the State. The community should be encouraged to give suggestions on how to utilize the money. NEW BUSINESS A. Presentation from Gravel Adventure Field Guide Gravel Adventure Field Guide presented to the Board on how Angel Fire could develop the outdoor activity of gravel cycling, complementing our area’s mountain biking. Angel Fire would partner with Raton and Colfax County, giving the Village one-third of the proposed advertising spread. This will be reviewed and brought to the March meeting. B. Review and rewrite of AF Short Term rental ordinance and rules There is a concern that not all short-term rental Lodger’s Tax is being collected. Software is available that can help the Village bring hosts into compliance. Chairman Curry and Nanci Bush will review and have something to present prior to June meeting since the fiscal year begins in July. C. Discussion/Recommendation to hire Carristo Creative Consulting Monica Christofferson of Carristo Creative Consulting, a marketing agency, gave a presentation of how best to market Angel Fire through various media outlets keeping consistency throughout. Tammy McClendon and Carristo Creative Consulting will collaborate to showcase Angel Fire’s assets. A special meeting may be called in order to review information and submit to the Village Council. D. Review how Lodger’s Tax funds may be used 40% of collected Lodger’s Tax must be used for marketing to promote tourism to Angel Fire. However, a meeting may be called to determine how to use those funds to promote tourism. E. Proposing to allow event funding requests to be presented at each meeting. (Application timing method etc.) Currently applications for funding requests are taken annually. There was discussion on allowing monthly applications and creating a packet to apply online with a meeting to review applications so that the money in the Lodger’s Tax fund does not revert to the State for lack of requests. Proposed Changes: 1. Allow applications to be submitted monthly instead of annually. 2. Lift the $10,000 cap on requests. 3. Show funds and consider additional funding for worthy ideas Don Willingham and Justin Temple will review these proposals and present changes at the next Lodger’s Tax meeting. F. Digital billboard for the Village Chairman Curry proposed that measurements of our existing billboard be taken and submitted for prices to repair. At least three bids should be obtained and submitted at the Board’s next meeting. The Resort owns land on the northwest corner of Hwy 64 at the blinking light. The possibility of using that land to place a permanent structure will be reviewed along with options. G. Discuss other potential uses for Lodger’s Tax funds The Board is open to new ideas, possibly utilizing the land owned by the Village behind Village Hall. Possibilities might include bleachers, lighting, water, concession stands, and bathrooms as part of development. Don Willingham and Justin Temple will talk with engineers to asses cost of development. The Village needs to use the funds collected by the Lodger’s tax so it does not revert to the State.  H. Discuss moving to monthly meetings. Don Willingham made the motion that the Lodger’s Tax Board hold monthly meetings on the second Wednesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. AJ Farmer seconded the motion and carried 5-0. Meeting was adjourned at 11:41 A.M. Passed, Approved and Adopted on this _____________ day of ________________, 2024 Transcribed: ____________________________________________ Nanci Bush, Secretary ____________________________________________ Owen Curry, Board Chairman Attest: ____________________________________________ Mark McClendon, Village Clerk