Commissioners Approve CCAC, CVB Requests
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Nearly $125,000 was approved for expenditures by the Kosciusko County Convention, Recreation and Visitor Commission Thursday following presentations by the City-County Athletic Complex and the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
CCAC director Ethan Bontly and CCAC board president Paul Scheuer gave a presentation about the facility. Counting league play, tournaments and high school matches, more than 60,000 people (a 50 percent increase over 2004) are expected to use or visit the grounds this year.
Bontly and Scheuer asked that the county match Warsaw's contribution of $36,000, which was approved.
Larry McDermott, director of sales at the Ramada Plaza, said he was overwhelmed by the presentation.
"The CCAC's activities account for 11 percent of our annual revenue, that is huge. It represents 165 rooms," McDermott said. "And it's not just the Ramada that benefits, not just the hotels. This will lift Warsaw and this community, the gas stations and restaurants."
Currently the CCAC hosts youth and adult softball, soccer, baseball and rugby leagues and tournaments. This year flag football is being developed along with a family run, a triathlon, to be called The Kosciusko, basketball and sand volleyball courts and mini-golf course.
Scheuer said the facility's business partner is "Mother Nature."
"We have one of the nicest facilities in the state," Scheurer said. He advised the commissioners that it is his board's goal to become financially independent.
If approved by the county council, the CCAC will receive the $36,000 in four installations. They asked that they also receive quarterly reviews.
Mary Kittrell, CVB interim director, presented a first quarter budget totaling $88,994. In November, the commission recommended that $51,575 be forwarded to the CVB for programs: various conference booth and registration charges, membership fees and advertising.
Thursday's request included $20,034.94 more for programs and $36,739.92 for building, office and administration costs. Kittrell and Mike Stetzel, CVB board president, also included line items to pay former director, Linda Arnold, a $26,519.54 separation package, $5,000 to implement the long-range planning study and to collect $200 per month to provide the commission with office support.
Stetzel said his board has agreed to discuss ownership of the Visitor's Center building.
"We need to put this issue to rest," said Deb Wiggins, CRVC president. "County tax dollars were used to build the center."
Stetzel said he and Brent Wilcoxson are prepared to negotiate the ownership of the facility.
CRVC member David Taylor questioned the effectiveness of advertising in tourism magazines.
"I asked several of my customers if this ad would get them to come to Kosciusko County. They answer 'no,'" said the Blue Lion Coffeehouse owner.
CRVC member Faye Medlock asked if the commission is entering into a contract with the bureau or funding the organization quarter by quarter. The commissioners decided to fund the CVB quarterly, for now.
Joy McCarthy-Sessing voted against the $88,994 allocation.
The CCAC and the CVB's requests will be heard by the county council Feb. 10.
The board also:
• Heard from county auditor Sue Ann Mitchell the commission has a balance of $273,697. Expenses last year were $179,442. In 2004, $348,842 was collected in innkeepers' taxes and $317,677 in 2003.
• Heard that the reports from Kosciusko County Right To Life Pro-Life Music Festival, the Kosciusko County Boys and Girls Club Crusin' Hoosier Car Show and the Health Care Foundation of Kosciusko County 2004 Festival of Trees have not been received.
• Welcomed new member David Taylor, an appointment of the Warsaw mayor. He replaces Nancy Gast. Other members are: John Elliott, Faye Medlock, Joy McCarthy-Sessing, Jon Sroufe and Deb Wiggins. Jan Carter was absent. [[In-content Ad]]
Nearly $125,000 was approved for expenditures by the Kosciusko County Convention, Recreation and Visitor Commission Thursday following presentations by the City-County Athletic Complex and the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
CCAC director Ethan Bontly and CCAC board president Paul Scheuer gave a presentation about the facility. Counting league play, tournaments and high school matches, more than 60,000 people (a 50 percent increase over 2004) are expected to use or visit the grounds this year.
Bontly and Scheuer asked that the county match Warsaw's contribution of $36,000, which was approved.
Larry McDermott, director of sales at the Ramada Plaza, said he was overwhelmed by the presentation.
"The CCAC's activities account for 11 percent of our annual revenue, that is huge. It represents 165 rooms," McDermott said. "And it's not just the Ramada that benefits, not just the hotels. This will lift Warsaw and this community, the gas stations and restaurants."
Currently the CCAC hosts youth and adult softball, soccer, baseball and rugby leagues and tournaments. This year flag football is being developed along with a family run, a triathlon, to be called The Kosciusko, basketball and sand volleyball courts and mini-golf course.
Scheuer said the facility's business partner is "Mother Nature."
"We have one of the nicest facilities in the state," Scheurer said. He advised the commissioners that it is his board's goal to become financially independent.
If approved by the county council, the CCAC will receive the $36,000 in four installations. They asked that they also receive quarterly reviews.
Mary Kittrell, CVB interim director, presented a first quarter budget totaling $88,994. In November, the commission recommended that $51,575 be forwarded to the CVB for programs: various conference booth and registration charges, membership fees and advertising.
Thursday's request included $20,034.94 more for programs and $36,739.92 for building, office and administration costs. Kittrell and Mike Stetzel, CVB board president, also included line items to pay former director, Linda Arnold, a $26,519.54 separation package, $5,000 to implement the long-range planning study and to collect $200 per month to provide the commission with office support.
Stetzel said his board has agreed to discuss ownership of the Visitor's Center building.
"We need to put this issue to rest," said Deb Wiggins, CRVC president. "County tax dollars were used to build the center."
Stetzel said he and Brent Wilcoxson are prepared to negotiate the ownership of the facility.
CRVC member David Taylor questioned the effectiveness of advertising in tourism magazines.
"I asked several of my customers if this ad would get them to come to Kosciusko County. They answer 'no,'" said the Blue Lion Coffeehouse owner.
CRVC member Faye Medlock asked if the commission is entering into a contract with the bureau or funding the organization quarter by quarter. The commissioners decided to fund the CVB quarterly, for now.
Joy McCarthy-Sessing voted against the $88,994 allocation.
The CCAC and the CVB's requests will be heard by the county council Feb. 10.
The board also:
• Heard from county auditor Sue Ann Mitchell the commission has a balance of $273,697. Expenses last year were $179,442. In 2004, $348,842 was collected in innkeepers' taxes and $317,677 in 2003.
• Heard that the reports from Kosciusko County Right To Life Pro-Life Music Festival, the Kosciusko County Boys and Girls Club Crusin' Hoosier Car Show and the Health Care Foundation of Kosciusko County 2004 Festival of Trees have not been received.
• Welcomed new member David Taylor, an appointment of the Warsaw mayor. He replaces Nancy Gast. Other members are: John Elliott, Faye Medlock, Joy McCarthy-Sessing, Jon Sroufe and Deb Wiggins. Jan Carter was absent. [[In-content Ad]]