Prowers Lodging Panel Funds Babe Ruth Contract Fees

Contract fees for the 2013 Colorado Babe Ruth 13 Prep State Championship being held in Lamar this weekend, July 19-22, were approved by the Prowers County Lodging Tax Panel on Tuesday, July 16.  The short notice request for the $850 was due only because the organizing committee learned about it after last month’s Panel meeting.  According to Brian Kane, local liaison for the Babe Ruth game, the funds will be used toward the contract fees for the Colorado Babe Ruth Leagues, Inc.  The double elimination games are expected to bring 250 persons to Lamar for at least two nights this weekend.  An after-the-fact request for $160 in similar fees for a Cal Ripken 10 & Under District Championship were denied by the Panel as the games had already been played July 5-7.  Panel members agreed that it could not fund an event that had already transpired. 

The Panel received the go-ahead from CPA Ron Farmer on the purchase of tourism information plaques for the gateway kiosks in Granada.  Use of funds from the lodging taxes is limited to contract fees for events that bring tourists to the county, marketing and advertising for such events and capital expenses related to tourist centers such as the Welcome Center in Lamar adjacent to the Chamber of Commerce.  Farmer said the use of the information plaques near the kiosks at the Amache Museum qualify for funding. 

Panel members acknowledged a letter of interest to serve on the board to fill a position that had been vacant for several months.  The letter will be forwarded to the Prowers County Commissioners for consideration.  Little has changed in the manner in which the state reimburses the Panel for their funds from a 1.9% tax on motel rooms in the county.  Proceeds issued from the state for May was $2.78 and $5.60 for June.  Payments from the quarterly taxes range from as much as $18,000 a month to under $3, with no clear cut answer from the Secretary of State’s office as to why.   

Groups or individuals seeking funding for events in Prowers County which can draw tourists to the community should contact the Lodging Tax Panel at 719-336-2384 at least two months in advance of the planned event for a request form.  The next Lodging Tax Panel meeting is August 20 at 4pm at the PCDI offices in the Rodeway Cow Palace Inn.

By Russ Baldwin