Chamber looks at proposed 2016-17 budget

At the monthly meeting of the Thermopolis-Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director Meri Ann Rush presented a proposed budget for the fiscal year 2016-17.

The fiscal year 2016-17 revenue for the fiscal year is at $167,315, and expenditures come in at $169,126. Also presented was the 2015-16 fiscal year budget, though Rush noted that budget does not yet include figures from May and June. According to the 2015-16 budget so far, there is $141,435.71 total revenue through April, and $133,698.32 total expenses, resulting in a $7,737.39 profit.

The budget has to be in place by July 1, so beginning the process in May allows board members to look over the document, ask questions and make adjustments prior to approval.

The board also reviewed and approved the 2016-17 member investment schedule as follows:

In-home business without employees: $195

Charitable organizations/clubs, non-profit without staff — $85

One to three employees: for profit — $225, non-profit — $195

Four to nine employees: for profit — $285, non-profit — $220

10-19 employees: for profit — $350, non-profit — $270

20-49 employees: for profit — $395, non-profit — $320

Churches: $85

Individuals: $85

Farms and ranches: $225

Government agencies: $195

Schools: refer to base business investment schedule

Financial institutions: $50 base fee plus $15 per million in local deposits or $285, whichever is greater

Hotels/motels: $50 base fee plus $10 per room or $225 whichever is greater

RV parks and campgrounds: $50 base fee plus $5 per space or $225, whichever is greater

New businesses: Six months free compliments of the Chamber

Also during the meeting, Greg Willson spoke about the Political Action Committee (PAC) regarding the lodging tax. The committee, he explained, has formed to support renewal of the lodging tax. Willson is chairing the PAC, with Phillip Scheel as treasurer.

The lodging tax itself, Willson said, is up for renewal every four years. It is a four percent tax on overnight stays in Hot Springs County. That percentage is collected by the hotels and others providing amenities, shipped to Cheyenne where its accumulated, and then it comes back to the county. Willson noted the lodging tax is part of a cycle, as after the money returns it must be spent on advertising out of county for people to come to Thermopolis.

“Money is collected from people who are visiting,” Willson said, “so we can advertise for more people to come visit.”

Examples of how the money is used include billboards, television and radio advertisements, movie trivia ads in Casper, in-language videos, a tourism app and the Keys to the City promotion. Along with advertising, several special events also receive funding via the lodging tax.

Willson pointed out local residents of Hot Springs County do not pay for the lodging tax. The renewal of the tax will be on the general election ballot this November.

Rush said the Chamber has teamed up in the past with the Farm Bureau Federation to do a “Meet the Candidates” event. One is currently planned for September, to update people on the issues that will be on the November ballot.

Deb Tudor presented the Main Street Thermopolis report, noting they discussed the Christmas ornament. It will be, she said, one of Las Fuentes — what it looks like now and what it used to look like. She also noted bands are booked for Oktobrewfest, scheduled for Sept. 24.

Executive Officer Damien Oliver mentioned the board had a work session a few weeks ago that was pretty productive. They were able to distill objectives to make them measurable and accountable, and get members more involved.

Rush reported on a state chamber partnership conference she attended April 20-22. She explained the conference is all chamber executives, those who can relate with common issues. One of the breakout sessions that she signed the Thermopolis chamber up to was a Google Maps program “Put Thermopolis on the Map,” to help ensure member Google entries are correct.

One of the speakers at the conference also addressed membership drives, which Rush is also looking into.

Rush also noted Travel and Tourism signed up again for the sticker program, a promotion through the Wyoming Office of Tourism to get people to all four corners of the state. Towns sign up, and are provided with stickers to give people as they come through.

Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital CEO Robin Roling spoke of the Master Facility Plan for the building which incorporates new space south of the current emergency department. It would provide space for 10 patient care beds, two labor/delivery/recovery/postpartum beds, an operating room area with two operating rooms, new emergency department space. Once the new space is built, there would be remodeling and repurposing of existing space.

A Specific Purpose Tax in the amount of $16.4 million to accommodate the new building and remodeling. Roling pointed out the Specific Purpose Tax would take the sales tax from five percent to six percent.

The county commissioners will have a public hearing in June about the tax, during which time they will also discuss an initiative for a hospital district, which would levy three mills on property to provide ongoing funding for hospital operations.

Willson asked what would happen if one measure passed and the other didn’t. Roling said if only the tax passes, it would allow for the remodel but the hospital would have to evaluate ongoing expenses. If only the district initiative passes, it would help but it would not pay for a new building or a remodel.

Regarding the hospital, and the Hot Springs State Park plan, Willson said for the most part the Chamber has tried to be apolitical, representing a constituency rather than themselves. With the idea of best representing the constituency by asking them, Willson said there has been some discussion as to determine where the constituency falls on the issues of Hot Springs State Park and Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital.

Willson noted the park is a big economic driver in regard to tourism, and the hospital is a large employer, and he would like to know what the membership wants. Oliver noted doing so for information would be positive, but cautioned against advocating for one way of thinking over another.