Chamber takes first look at budget

Monday evening during a meeting of the Thermopolis-Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce, the board looked over the budget for the fiscal year 2018-19; the budget will be finalized and approved at the regular June meeting.

Board chair Greg Willson noted the budget is about $8,000 down from last year, and Chamber Executive Director Meri Ann Rush further added last year saw a budget of about $149,000 and this year’s is about $141,000.

Among the items seeing lower amounts budgeted are membership income, co-op advertisements, wage reimbursement, website costs and office expenses. The board also held an executive session at the meeting to further discuss payroll.

With regard to other financial matters, the board will roll over the chamber member investment schedule from the previous fiscal year to the new. This means there will be no changes in the dues members pay and they will remain: 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 Political — $225 for candidate and PAC membership; 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 park & campgrounds — $50 base fee plus $5 per space or $225, whichever is greater.

Rush noted there was a member who asked whether the base rate for hotels could be dropped so members in that category would just pay the “per room” rate. Rush said if the base rate were dropped for the hotels category, in order to keep things fair it would have to be dropped for other categories. It was decided to keep the base fee.

Also during the meeting, the board approved changes to the Gift of the Waters Pageant Parade. Due to declining entries, it was decided to award prizes as an incentive. Prizes for best float in the categories of business/organization, automobile/individual and kids —up to 12 years old and 13-18 years old — will receive $100 each, and there is a $300 prize for best overall float. The parade is Saturday, Aug. 4 at 10 a.m.

The concern was raised as to whether politicians would be allowed to compete for the prizes. Upon further discussion, it was the consensus that, should candidates put forth the effort to make amazing floats, they should deserve to win.

Also during the meeting, the board approved using $250 from the current budget to participate for the Wyoming State Chamber of Commerce certification program. The benefits of being part of the program include designation of our chamber as certified, increased credibility with the board and members, improved membership recruitment and retention and differentiation of our chamber from other chambers and business associations.

The board also discussed the Live Local, Work Local campaign through the University of Wyoming. The goal, Rush said, is to expose UW students to various communities in the state and potential employers in type of “job shadowing” experience. The campaign was discussed during the recent State Chamber of Commerce meeting in Thermopolis, and Rush suggested Thermopolis be among the places students can come. Students in the program would be coming possibly in October or November, and Rush plans to bring more information at upcoming meetings.

The board currently has a vacancy, with 11 members and the capacity for 12. An application for membership was included in the board members’ packets.