Finance Committee

City of Roswell Finance Committee Wednesday, May 1, 2014, 8:00 a.m. City Hall Conference Room Committee Members present: Caleb Grant, Chairman Art Sandoval, Councilor Jason Perry, Councilor Committee Members absent: None Other Elected Officials present: Jeanine Best Staff Present: Larry Fry Monica Garcia Debra Morsey Jennifer Brady Griego Others present: Barbara Gomez Sarah Brineger Randal Seyler The meeting was called to order at 8:00 a.m. by Chairman Grant. Committee members Caleb Grant, Jason Perry and Art Sandoval were present, which represented a quorum. Councilor Sandoval moved to approve the April 10, 2014 minutes. Councilor Perry was the second, a voice vote was unanimous and the motion carried. Regular Items: 1. Lodger’s Tax Request – Rio Pecos Kennel Club 2014 AKC Dog Show Ms. Garcia noted the Occupancy Tax Board’s recommendation for funding in the amount of $2,187.50 for this event to be awarded on a reimbursement basis. Ms. Sarah Brineger provided information on the event. Total marketing expense would be $4,375. The dog show is using the services of Onefrio Dog Shows to do the marketing as well as the entries for the dog show. Ms. Brineger spoke about the flyers that are sent out, a total of 5440 pieces of mail are sent out for this event. The event is over 50 years old and brings lots of business to Roswell. There was discussion about the survey, the committee would like to see better tracking of motel stays and restaurant visits. The dog show survey consists of “IIII” as a way of counting the visits. It was suggested that the company handling the show “Onefrio” should have the 1 survey on their website and as entry information is being entered the survey questions must be answered to complete the entry form. After further discussion Councilor Sandoval moved to recommend to full City Council that Lodgers Tax funding in the amount of $2,187.50 be provided on a reimbursement basis. Councilor Perry seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. 2. Lodger’s Tax Request – “Are You Tough Enough for Two?” Ms. Garcia noted the Occupancy Tax Board’s recommendation for funding in the amount of $5,780 for this event to be awarded on reimbursement basis. Ms. Barbara Gomez spoke on behalf of the event. Ms. Gomez informed the Finance Committee that the event would be combining two runs, “the color run” and along with Roswell’s Mud, Sweat, and Tears. It would be a two day event. The “Color Run” (the name will change) will be more of walk, roll or run so that all levels of fitness can be included. The Mud, Sweat and Tears event is a more vigorous. The event will be held on August 15 – 16, 2014 at the Cielo Grande, and Noon Optimist Park. There is online registration with the survey included. Ms. Gomez is using newspaper, magazine, radio and internet for advertising. There is also a Facebook page for the purpose of social media. After further discussion Councilor Sandoval moved to recommend to the full City Council that Lodgers Tax funding in the amount of $5,780 be provided for this event, Councilor Perry seconded, and it passed unanimously. 3. PFC Audit Review – Debra Morsey Ms. Morsey presented the review of the PFC (passenger facility charge) audit. The FAA requires a single audit of the passenger facility charge program. It is the opinion of the auditor that the City of Roswell complied in all material respects with compliance requirements with no findings by the auditor. 4. Finance Directors Report Ms. Garcia gave updated financial information to the Committee. Gross receipts for April, 2014 were up about 10% from April 2013. The first ten months of the fiscal year 2014 were up 5% compared to fiscal year 2013. Lodger’s tax received $93,024 in April 2014 an increase of 3% from April 2013 for the same reporting months. Ms. Garcia noted she had the wrong figures for the Convention Center Fee and would get the figures to the committee at a later date. Dean Baldwin Painting late fees are collected and the lease payments are current. The Millennium real estate loan between the City, the State and Pioneer Bank is current. Other Business 2 Council Perry discussed to the committee the need for adding the Lodgers Tax Request on a consent basis to the Council. The requestors for Lodgers Tax have to present up to three times, once to the Occupancy Tax Board and the Finance Committee and then to the Council. The consent would save time. Councilor Sandoval asked about the volumes of water being consumed with the rising water rates which was determined that there is a lower consumption. There was some discussion about the drinking water project. Meeting adjourned at 8:50 a.m. 3