Lodging Panel Funds Sand and Sage Summer 2012

Prowers County Courthouse

The Prowers Lodging Tax Panel approved a $10,000 donation for next year’s entertainment act for the Sand and Sage Fair.  There were no other applicants before the panel for November’s meeting.  Brandon Sherwood, representing the fair board, said the money will be used for contract fees and for marketing the event in regional advertising.  Sherwood said the sooner a booking agent can be contacted, the better the chances of bringing in a more marketable talent.  No specific act has been contracted for at this time.  Sherwood said the fair board requested $3,000 less than they have in the past, as this past summer’s act brought in revenue just above that amount.  Although approved at the November 15 meeting, the funds will not be donated until next summer.  Panel Secretary, Carla Scranton noted that $14,720 in second quarter funding was received from the state, giving the panel a balance of $25,305 for the rest of the year.  The panel also approved the 2012 budget at $65,030.  The funds used for donations are generated from a 2% sales tax levied on each motel room in the county, used through the year.  The state reimburses the county and panel on a quarterly basis from the tax revenue. 

As with other past events, it’s still difficult to get an accurate reading on the number of motel rooms that are being filled in Lamar and the county directly attributable to a tourist related event funded in part by the Lodging Panel.  “It’s difficult to get any results from the motel owners,” Sherwood said when asked about how this past summer’s musical act contributed to motel use.  “We ask, but we’re not getting any results,” he added.  The Panel has tried to determine this information as a means of seeing how effective an event is, when deciding to fund the same event in future years.  Pat Palmer, Lodging Panel President, said the percentages used for funding events will be a priority item at January’s monthly meeting. 

The three year terms of three members, Judy Douglass, Jane Felter and Anis Malkin are expiring this year.  They will need to submit a letter of intent to the Prowers County Commissioners to be considered board members for another term.  Because of the holiday schedule, the next meeting of the Lodging Tax Panel will be held on December 13, one week early.

By Russ Baldwin