The workshop session will begin at noon at the Community Center, 111 E. Corpus Christi St.
According to the agenda for the meeting, those present will “review and discuss the hotel occupancy tax, allowable costs and reporting requirements.”
In an invitation sent out over the Internet to interested groups and individuals, Main Street manager Michelle Wright called the presentation “What’s Hot $ (and) What’s Not, Hotel occupancy tax usage and requirements.”
The presentation will feature Russell Gallahan, a representative of the Texas Comptroller’s Office, who is considered an expert on the use of those tax funds.
“Feel free to invite a guest and bring a sack lunch,” Wright said in the invitation sent out to interested parties
Wright said there will be a question and answer session after Gallahan’s presentation.
The majority of the city’s hotel and motel occupancy tax receipts (HOT funds) now goes to the Bee County Chamber of Commerce.
But other organizations have been applying for that money, mostly to advertise various special events like Bee County Western Week, Diez y Seis de Septiembre, Cinco de Mayo, the Texas Mile and others.
City Attorney Frank Warner usually reviews applications for funding, and he strikes out most of the requests that are not related to “putting heads in beds.”
Warner keeps reminding applicants that means the money should be spent on efforts directly related to filling hotel and motel rooms.
The workshop is considered a special City Council meeting and Mayor Santiago “Jimbo” Martinez Jr. will preside.
Wright recommended holding the presentation here after she attended a similar session offered by the Texas Historical Commission.
Anyone who has questions is urged to contact City Manager Deborah Ballí at 358-4641.
Gary Kent is a reporter at the Bee-Picayune and can be reached at 358-2550, ext. 120, or at reporter@mySouTex.com.
Also, please dump the two words to post. I never can read them.