Tourism Board

AGENDA ~ Tourism Board Meeting DATE: Monday, February 2, 2026 TIME: 3:00 PM PLACE: Opera House Page 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: NOVEMBER 5, 2025 3. NEW BUSINESS 3.1. HOT Funds Application: Cactus Jack 2-7 HOT TAX Application Uvalde Cactus Jack Foundation 3.2. HOT Funds Application: Ruby's Lounge 8 - 15 HOT TAX Application_Ruby's Lounge 4. ADJOURNMENT Certificate: I certify that the above and foregoing notice was posted in compliance with 551.043, Texas Government Code at 9:00 a.m., January 27, 2026. ______________________________ Joe A. Cardenas, City Manager Page 1 of 15 -All advertising requests must be fifty percent 50% or less than the gross a ve ism expen tnI ures. -Applicants must match at least a one-to-one of the total funds requested from the DACT and provide detailed support for all advertising expenditures so that the equal to or more than one-to- one match can be verified by the DACT. Post Funding Agreement As designated by the State of Texas, HOT tax use must be documented. By completing this application, if funds are approved and distributed for your use, W t ltthP-ninCo [in An isR ort mrtn60d ftrth Minimum. VOWLEDGE es [We I AGREE TO SUBMIT THE POST FUNDINGCOMPLIANCEANALYSISREPORT I HAVE READAND UNDERSTAND THE PROCEDURES AND DEADLINES AND CONFIRM THAT MY REQUESTMEETS THE HOT TAXAPPLICABLE USE AS DESCRIBEDABOVE. 6IEQII (919” 0{I3 $9! Applicant Signature Don McLaughlin Applicant Name (please print) 1/6/2026 Page 2 of 15 APPLICANT INFORMATION Organization Organization Name*(required): Uvalde Cactus Jack Foundation Tax Identification Number: 45-5064575 Entity‘s Creation Year*(required): 201 1 Has this organization applied for HOTTax use before? 0 Yes 0 No Contact Information Phone*(required): 830'278'7157 Ema'l*(required): dee@dkmusedpipe.com PhysicalAddress*(required): 1941 E. FM 2369 Uvalde, TX 78801 Website For Event, or Sponsoring Entity*(required): ”valdecaCtUSIaCk?om Social Media Accounts for Event: Facebook, Instagram Authorized Representative Contact Information Authorized Representative 1 Name*(required): Dee Kenney Cell Phone*(required): 337-352-5820 Email*(required): dee@dkmusedpipe.com General Information For-Profit or Non-Profit Status 0 For-Profit © Non-Profit, 501 c ONon-Profit, 5010(2): Title Holding Trust Corporation ONon-Profit, 501c(3): Charitable Non-Profit O Non-Profit, 501c(4): Community Welfare Organization 0 Non-Profit, 501c(19): Veterans Organization Non-Profit, 501c(6): Civic League Organization Page 3 of 15 Orga nlzation Mission Statement/Purpose Summary: ‘ Use Information Cactus Jack Xtreme Bull R'dmg Name of Event or Project*(required): Event or Project Start Date*(required): April 30th: May 1St 8‘ 2nd: 2026 Event or Project Website: uvaldecactus;ack.com Event or Pro ect Description*(required) Include background information if held previously: Use Category*(required) CHOOSE ONLY ONE. Primary purpose of funded use, as per categories listed in detail in section above. 0 A: Convention Center orVisitor Information Facilities 0 B: Registration of Convention Delegates @ C: Advertising 0 D: Promotion of the Arts 0 E: Historical Restoration and Preservation Projects orActivities O F: Signage O G: Transportation Systems for Tourists H: Sporting Events Page 4 of 15 AMOUNT OF HOT TAXREQUESTEDFORTHIS PURPOSE:*(required) 325000.00 Anticipated percentage of TOTAL COSTS to be covered by requested Hotel Occupancy Tax:*(required) 5% MUSTBE LESS THAN50% ora 1:1 Match Address of Convention Center or Visitor Information Facility:*(required) Uvalde C°- Fairp'e" List other organizations, government entities, and grants that have offered financial support to your pro'ect: Please attach Event or Project Drafts/Renderings/Design Files, if any at this time. Page 5 of 15  MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the Uvalde Cactus Fack Foundation is to enhance the community b investing in our youth through the support of Positive Behavior Interventions andy Supports programs and UCISD and other areas schools by providing incentives to reward positive behaviors. The foundation works to create an environment that i conductive to successful learning opportunities for students so they can meet theirs PURPOSE Uvalde Cactus Jack Foundation was based on the premise that our future is our youth, and we must do everything we can to enhance their learning experience so they will become productive members of our community and society as a whole. To fund these efforts, the foundation as an annual Professional Bull Riding event that is held in May. This is a major fundraising event for the foundation. Money raised at the bull riding goes to fund various school program that bene?t students Page 6 of 15  h1" SPONSORSHIP The Cactus Jack Foundation was formed in 201 l by three local area businessmen for the purpose of investing in the youth in our community and surrounding areas. FAST FACTS We believe that our youth is our future and we must do everything we can to enhance their learning experience so they willbecome productivemembers of our community 2 000,. and a society as a whole. homes currently have access to the Cowboy Channel that The Cactus Jack Foundation invest in our youth through streams the Cactus Jack the support of Positive Behavior Interventions and supports PRCAXtreme BullRiding programs at UCISDand other local schools. By providing incentives to reward positive behaviors, the foundation works to create an environment that is conductive to successful learning opportunities for students so they can $800.00 meet their educational needs. has been given to area We also invest in our teachers in the form monetary bonuses, Teacher of the Year awards and recognition and supplies. $7.00. ounts reached Over the years the Cactus Jack PRCAXtreme BullRiding organically. has had tremendous growth in crowd size and the money paid to the bull riders. In 2023 our ticket sales were up by 680 individualtickets for a 3 day event with Fridayand $5 ,9 was the total payout to t e 0h Saturday nights sold out. We have added money for the riders to $50,000.00, one of the largest payouts in PRCA Xtreme BullRiding. In 2023 we drew the top 40 bull rider in the world. Also, in 2023 we were live on the Cowboy s Channel reaching audiences throughout the US. 40 of the Top PRCABullRider Our social media audience has grown as well with s in the world will compete. 87,000 reached on our Facebook page and 5,500 on our Instagram site, which was new for 2023. We encouraged fans to visit our website where they could purchase tickets, learn event info and visit our sponsors through links, of the na ion's ran e ranc bronc riders will compete i increasing traffic to their website. the Top Ranch Showdown.n adus 0c cum 0 Ion o not-{or-prox , sec ion 501(c)(3 www.uvo|decacfusloc .com Page 7 of 15  REQUEST FOR FUNDING APPLICATION: HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX REVENUE The Department of Arts, Culture, & Tourism is responsible for distributing and using the Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT or HOT Tax) Revenue collected by and for the City of Uvalde. We understand the unique advantage events can be to promoting tourism and economic impact to our great Uvalde community. Please complete the below application with accurate and complete information to the best of your ability. For any questions, or to request a physical copy, please contact the Arts, Culture, & Tourism office at: 830.278.4184 or tourism@uvaldetx.gov. PROCEDURES AND DEADLINES Application Submission Deadline The HOT funding application must be fully completed and submitted to the Department of Arts, Culture, & Tourism (DACT) no less than 30 days before the date of which requested funding will take place. FUNDS EXCEEDING $10,000: Please note that any requests totaling over $10k for a single use must be presented and approved by City Council. To request to be added to a City Council Meeting Agenda for this purpose, please complete this application and email a copy to City Secretary, Sorayda Sanchez (ssanchez@uvaldetx.gov) and carbon copy, (cc) Director, Caitlin Visel (cvisel@uvaldetx.gov). Page 8 of 15 Notification to Applicants Notification letters will be sent via email to applicants informing them of the decision within 30 days of when the application was submitted. Such correspondence may also include requirements of additional requested materials due and deadlines for submission of same. The decision of the DACT, and/or the City of Uvalde where applicable, both as to grant/deny funding and to the amount of funding, will be the final decision. HOT Tax Applicable Use Applicable HOT Tax use, as per the City of Uvalde Code of Ordinances: 3.20.060 A, can be viewed HERE, and states: The revenues from the hotel occupancy tax shall be used for any of the purposes enumerated in Chapter 351 of the Texas Tax Code, as it now exists or as may be hereafter amended. Chapter 351 of the Texas Tax Code can be viewed HERE. (See Subchapter B, Use and Allocation of Revenue.) More information regarding applicable use of Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT Tax) Revenue can be found on pages 7-15 HERE, courtesy of the Texas Municipal League, and on the State Comptroller website, HERE. Texas Tax Code Use Categories The Texas Tax Code (Code) Sec 351.101 (5) defines a tourist as an individual who travels from the individual’s residence to a different municipality, county, state or country for pleasure, education, or culture. The (Code) states that revenue derived from hotel occupancy tax may be used only if both parts of the following two-part test are met: -Part One of the test requires that usage of HOT funds must directly enhance and promote visitors and the convention and hotel industry as permitted by Subsection (a) of the Code. -Part Two of the test requires that all expenditures must clearly fit into one of the statutorily provided categories listed below: Page 9 of 15  Categories A: Convention center facilities or visitor information centers: the acquisition of sites for and the construction, improvement, enlarging, equipping, repairing, operation, and maintenance of convention center facilities or visitor information centers, or both; B: Registration of convention delegates: the furnishing of facilities, personnel, and materials for the registration of convention delegates or registrants; C: Advertising, and conducting solicitations and promotional programs to attract tourists and convention delegates or registrants to the municipality or its vicinity; D: Promotion of the arts: the encouragement, promotion, improvement, and application of the arts, including instrumental and vocal music, dance, drama, folk art, creative writing, architecture, design and allied fields, painting, sculpture, photography, graphic and craft arts, motion pictures, radio, television, tape and sound recording, and other arts related to the presentation, performance, execution, and exhibition of these major art forms; E: Historical restoration and preservation projects or activities: historical restoration and preservation projects or activities or advertising and conducting solicitations and promotional programs to encourage tourists and convention delegates to visit preserved historic sites or museums: (a) at or in the immediate vicinity of convention center facilities or visitor information centers; or (b) located elsewhere in the municipality or its vicinity that would be frequented by tourists and convention delegates; F: Signage: Funding of signage directing the public to sights and attractions that are frequently visited by hotel guests. Must comply with all signage regulations. G: Transportation Systems for Tourists: Funding City or privately owned and operated transportation systems to transport tourists from hotels in and near the city to touristic attractions in or near the City. The law specifically prohibits the use of the local hotel tax to cover the costs for a transportation system that serves the general public. H: Sporting Events: expenses, including promotion expenses, directly related to a sporting event in which the majority of participants are tourists who substantially increase economic activity at hotels and motels within the municipality or its vicinity. Maximum Funding Guidelines -All funding requests should be for fifty percent (50%) or less of Applicant’s total projected gross revenue from the event/activity/facility. Page 10 of 15 -All advertising requests must be fifty percent 50% or less than the gross advertising expenditures. -Applicants must match at least a one-to-one of the total funds requested from the DACT and provide detailed support for all advertising expenditures so that the equal to or more than one-to- one match can be verified by the DACT. Post Funding Agreement As designated by the State of Texas, HOT tax use must be documented. By completing this application, if funds are approved and distributed for your use, you agree to complete the Post-Funding Compliance Analysis Report no more than 60 days after the last day of the event. I ACKNOWLEDGE I AGREE TO SUBMIT THE POST FUNDING COMPLIANCE ANALYSIS REPORT ☐ Yes ☐ No ■ I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE PROCEDURES AND DEADLINES AND CONFIRM THAT MY REQUEST MEETS THE HOT TAX APPLICABLE USE AS DESCRIBED ABOVE. _____________________________________ Juan G. Gonzales ___________________________________ Applicant Signature Applicant Name (please print) 1/25/2026 ___________________ Date Page 11 of 15 APPLICANT INFORMATION Organization Name:​ Ruby’s Lounge (LMG Management & Entertainment – Event Producer) Tax Identification Number:​ 35-2734601 Entity Creation Year:​ [Year Ruby’s Lounge or LMG was established] Has this organization applied for HOT funds before?​ ☑ Yes ☐ No​ (If Yes, list prior events if applicable) CONTACT INFORMATION Phone:​ 830-279-3096 Email:​ gabe@lmg.management Physical Address:​ Ruby’s Lounge​ Uvalde, TX Website for Event or Sponsoring Entity:​ [Facebook page, website, or event page] Social Media Accounts for Event:​ Facebook / Instagram – Ruby’s Lounge, LMG Management & Entertainment AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE Name:​ Gabe Gonzales Page 12 of 15 Cell Phone:​ 830-279-3096 Email:​ gabe@lmg.management GENERAL INFORMATION For-Profit or Non-Profit Status:​ ☑ For-Profit​ ☐ Non-Profit (HOT funds are allowed for for-profit entities when promoting tourism and the arts) ORGANIZATION MISSION STATEMENT / PURPOSE Ruby’s Lounge and LMG Management & Entertainment are committed to supporting live music, cultural events, and tourism-driven programming in Uvalde, Texas. Through curated live music events, the organization promotes the arts, supports working musicians, and helps attract visitors to the community, contributing to local economic impact and hotel occupancy. USE INFORMATION Name of Event Gilley’s Country Music Tribute Night Event Start Date Saturday, May 16, 2026 Event Website Page 13 of 15 Facebook: @therubyslounge Instagram: @therubyslounge EVENT DESCRIPTION (CRITICAL SECTION) Gilley’s Country Music Tribute Night is a live music event celebrating the classic Texas country music era inspired by the legendary Gilley’s dancehall scene and the Urban Cowboy era. The event will feature a professional house band and multiple guest country music artists performing tribute sets that highlight the cultural significance of this era of American and Texas music. The event is designed to promote the arts through live musical performance while attracting regional visitors to Uvalde. Artists traveling from outside the community will require overnight lodging, and local hotel partnerships are being pursued to support hotel occupancy. The event will be marketed regionally to encourage visitors from surrounding counties to attend, dine locally, and stay overnight. USE CATEGORY (CHOOSE ONE) ☑ D: Promotion of the Arts​ (Live instrumental and vocal music performance) Apply for Funding VISIT UVALDE AMOUNT OF HOT TAX REQUESTED Amount Requested:​ $1,250 Anticipated Percentage of Total Costs Covered by HOT Funds:​ Approximately 49% (Compliant with the 50% maximum funding guideline) TOTAL EVENT BUDGET (SUMMARY) Page 14 of 15 Projected Event Expenses ●​ House Band (5 musicians @ $300): $1,500 ●​ Guest Singers (6 @ $150): $900 ●​ Sound / Production / Backline Support: $150​ Total Projected Cost: $2,550 Funding Sources ●​ HOT Tax Request: $1,250 ●​ Bar Contribution / Sponsorships / Cover Charge: $1,300 (1:1 match satisfied) OTHER FINANCIAL SUPPORT Local business sponsorships and bar-generated revenue will support the remaining costs of the event. A host hotel partnership is being pursued to provide in-kind lodging accommodations for participating artists. POST-FUNDING COMPLIANCE ☑ YES — I acknowledge and agree to submit the Post-Funding Compliance Analysis Report within 60 days following the event. Page 15 of 15