Chair Demaree opened the meeting at 7:03 PM. All members present and member of the public Roger Keaton.
Secretary Parks presented the minutes for the June 14th meeting and moved approval, seconded by Director Dawson. All voted aye.
Director Laubach moved approval of the minutes as amended for the executive session meeting of the same date, seconded by Director Dalling. All voted aye.
Treasurer Parks presented a financial report on our current status with the operating budget.
Chair Demaree reported that the issues with Expedia appear to be worked out. Also all the contracts for the appropriations of 2015 money have been signed by the receiving organizations and a few have executed their
project and received their funds.
Directors Dawson and Laubach presented a draft “welcome” letter for new businesses, particularly lodging businesses. Director Dalling moved, seconded by Director Dawson, the directors Dawson and Laubach be appointed to be our welcoming committee to contact new or not previously responding businesses. The draft letter is to be circulated for review before a final draft is approved.
Chair Demaree lead a discussion of our meeting schedule for the remainder of 2016. The 2015 appropriation schedule was very compressed because of the need to get the District operational and late in the season. With a view to giving potential applicants more time both to prepare applications and then execute projects it is desirable to start the process earlier. Accordingly Director Laubach moved, 2nd by Director Dalling, the following meeting schedule for the remainder of the year: The September meeting (9/13) will be held in the community room upstairs at the Gardiner Market with most of the agenda time devoted to getting feedback from the community and providing an opportunity for general discussion on the use of the Resort Tax. The October meeting will be back at the Visitor Center on 10/11. The deadline for submitting applications for 2016 funds will be October 31st. The November meeting is delayed a week to 11/15 because of the conflict with election day and the Library fundraiser on 11/8. It will be the Question & Answer session of 2016 applications for funds. Appropriations will be made at the December meeting 12/13 so that contracts can be drawn up and funds available starting 1/2/2017. All voted aye.
Director Laubach has found another potential applicant for the position of Administrative Officer. Directors Laubach and Parks will interview this person with hope that we can have somebody on board by the September
meeting.
In public comment Roger Keaton of the Yellowstone Association indicated that their organization is having a lot of trouble figuring out how to configure their bookkeeping system to deal with seasonal nature of the resort tax. Life would be much simpler if it was collected year around.
Director Dawson moved, Director Dalling seconded a motion to adjourn at 8:15 PM. All voted aye.
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