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Regular Council Meeting <br />August 14, 2017 <br />Page 7 <br />River Valley Fair Grounds with a city -issued permit and appropriate TABC permit. She said <br />various people wanted to include the Plaza and Market. Ms. Harris said the proposed <br />amendments added those two locations and would allow the City to enforce the ordinance on <br />City -owned property. <br />A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Portugal and seconded by <br />Council Member Knox. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays. <br />20. Receive presentations and act on the fiscal year 2017-18 budgets for the Love Civic <br />Center and the Visitors & Convention Council. <br />Lamar County Chamber of Commerce President Ken Higdon first presented the Visitors <br />& Convention Council budget, and said revenues pretty much stayed the same and they had a <br />good year in the tourism world. He said the hotel occupancy tax ended up at $658,525 for the <br />four quarters in this budget. Mr. Higdon recognized the new employee, Drew Ruhart, who was <br />hired for marketing and sales. He outlined the expenses and income, summarizing the ending <br />budget revenue of $701,500 and estimated expenses of $699,500. Next, Mr. Higdon presented <br />the Love Civic Center budget and went over income and expenses. He said they needed to do <br />more maintenance this year, which included painting of the Eiffel Tower, possibly get a facility <br />study and stated the Civic Center was twenty-three years old. Mr. Higdon said they did a facility <br />study that showed to bring the center to new standards it would be about a $3 million dollar <br />investment and they were spending about $100,000 a year on maintenance upkeep. He said they <br />had a good year in that they had grown the staff, increased the HOT tax, and grown the number <br />of events. <br />Council Member Portugal said she was recently at a conference and while there, heard <br />from a group who complimented Becky Semple and said they would be coming back to Paris. <br />Council Member Knox congratulated Mr. Higdon on increase in HOT tax collections and <br />increased tourism. She questioned the chamber management fee under the agreement, and said it <br />was a little over 11% that the chamber takes right off the top. She said she felt it would behoove <br />the Council to see a breakdown of the items, referencing what was included in marketing, <br />security and the other items. Mayor Clifford inquired about the archery event noting they spent <br />around $19,000 but budgeted $30,000. Mr. Higdon said this last year Paris did not have to <br />purchase the buckles for the tournament winners, because they were donated. Mayor Clifford <br />asked about any profits from the tournament and Mr. Higdon said there was very limited income <br />through the vendors. Mayor Clifford also questioned the increase in marketing expenses <br />budgeted. Mr. Higdon said they were complying with the legal requirements. In addition, they <br />discussed the Tour de Paris income and expenses. Mr. Higdon said he would get to them the <br />additional information showing a breakdown of accounting details. It was a consensus of City <br />Council to move this item to the next agenda. <br />22. Discuss the 2017-2018 FY budget for the City of Paris. <br />Mr. Godwin said he did not have anything new to present. He reminded City Council of <br />the special meetings on Tuesday, September 5, a regular meeting on September 11, and a special <br />meeting on September 18. <br />