Occupancy Tax Board

APPROVED OCCUPANCY TAX BOARD MEETING October 30, 2012 Tuesday, September 25, 2012 - 2:30 p.m. Conference Room, City Hall Members Present: Chair- Jill Cleveland, Adam Roe, Edie Stevens Members Absent: Julie Morrow, Josh Ragsdale Staff Present: Janice Self, Barbara Patterson Others Present: Juliana Halvorson Meeting was called to order at 2:34 pm by Chairperson Jill Cleveland, three of the five members of the board were present, representing a quorum. No corrections were made to the minutes. Ms. Stevens moved to approve the minutes from the August 28, 2012 Occupancy Tax Board meeting. Mr. Roe seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. 1. Lodgers Tax Funding Request – Thrill the World and Zombie Walk (and Costume Contest) 2012 (October 27, 2012) Ms. Juliana Halvorson was there to present the request for $2,000. Ms. Halvorson informed the Occupancy Tax Board members that last year the Thrill the World and Zombie Walk was a “spur of the moment” event and had 185 dancers. Roswell beat out Albuquerque, NM and Paris, France. This year advertising has been done in advance and more people are expected to participate. Registration is $5.00. T-shirts will be given out to participants. Anyone from age 5 up can register. Postcards and handouts were given at the Sci-Fi Film Festival, UFO Festival and the Fiddle & Griddle during the summer. There has been an ad placed in the NM Magazine and postcards taken to visitor’s centers all around NM by Ms. Halvorson. Thirteen participants have registered online, although there is still plenty of time for registration, all the way to the time of the event. Studio Plus is teaching the dance for participants who are interested. Ms. Stevens voiced the concern that seems to be more of a local event, even though it is a wonderful idea. Ms. Halvorson assured the Board that this event would bring participants from out of town and that they would be doing a survey to get a count. Last year the event did not have a survey because they did not realize how many would attend. It was decided to give the event a chance, but not at the requested amount. Hopefully the survey will show that the event will draw visitors to Roswell. Ms. Stevens made the motion to recommend to the Finance Committee that lodger’s tax funding in the amount of $500.00 be provided for this purpose. Mr. Roe seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. All attendees were informed that the date for the Finance Committee meeting has not yet been set, and they would be contacted as to the date and time. There was no other business. Mr. Roe made the motion to adjourn and Ms. Stevens seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 2:56 p.m. Minutes submitted for approval by Janice Self