County Council, CVB Disagree On How Funds Should Be Spent
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
The Kosciusko County Council and Convention and Visitors Bureau commissioners agreed to disagree, as they have for two years, during Thursday's council meeting.
Phil Fozo, president of the CVB Commission, and commission member Joe Banks, approached the council Thursday to release $60,000 withheld from the 2003 CVB budget.
In May, the council approved a CVB budget of $290,000. The CVB board funds come from a 5 percent hotel and inn tax. Listed expenses include $133,573 for three employees and benefits, $11,750 for supplies and $218,177 for other services, such as professional services, communication and transportation, printing, advertising and insurance.
The CVB commission members serve at the pleasure of the county council, county commissioners and Warsaw City Council.
The council began asking for an itemized budget in 2001. Prior to 2001, since 1989, the CVB commission was given a lump sum to spend.
Councilman Larry Teghtmeyer said the funds can be spent on conventions, visitors and recreation. In the recreation category, capital projects are included.
"The Greenway is one such project," he said. "CVB funds could add to the required 20 percent match and be attractive to visitors."
Fozo said the $60,000 was for marketing and would be presented in grants to local organizations and agencies.
Council president Harold Jones thought it odd that it took the CVB 15 years to grant $124,000 to local entities and now half that amount is available in one year.
In 2002, $6,247 was given to 10 recipients.
"You're not looking at the $290,000 you get," Jones said. "You're looking at the $60,000 you're not getting."
Banks said the council has provided funds for the CVB to operate. "Our reason to exist is not to pay heat and lights," he said. "It is a marketing arm. If you're not prepared to tell us in 2003 (how to allocate the funds), put it back and we'll meet monthly to come to an agreement for 2004."
Brad Tandy said the tax could be used for more than marketing and advertising overnight lodging.
"Let's step back a little and look at capital projects like the CCAC and community projects," he said.
"That's never been said to us, it's been hinted," Fozo said. "It's our money. You withheld that $60,000."
"You're bound and determined to get every penny," Charlene Knispel said.
"There will be budget cuts next year. I'd like you to understand that."
"Well, hold the other departments' feet to the fire," Banks said. "Our spending is by state statute and 2003 is half gone."
"This year's request is over and above what you've ever asked for before. You have more than enough money to pay for other things," Jones said.
The council, Banks and Fozo agreed to continue monthly meetings.
Banks was first appointed to the CVB commission in 1992 by the county council. Fozo is a county commissioner appointee since 1994. Their terms end Dec. 31.
The council also heard an annual report regarding the Alcohol Probation Program from Superior Court 2 Judge James Jarrette.
The program, just completing its first year, is administered by the probation department. The local program ranked No. 1 in compliance with clinical standards, the judge said, and second in management of the 56 programs in the state.
"Clients" are evaluated for entry in the program and are expected to complete classes at a cost of $150. This year there were 170 individuals in the program.
In other business, the council:
• Approved capital projects funds for the Bell Memorial Public Library, Mentone, in the amount of $17,955; and for the Milford Public Library in the amount of $26,720.
Bell librarian Lorna Klein and Milford librarian Linn Landis appeared before the council. Bell's tax levy will be $.0133 per $100 assessed valuation and Milford's will be $.0167.
• Approved transfers: from the health department, $100 from education and training to workers' compensation; and the county commissioners, $20,000 from juvenile justice to unemployment compensation.
County council members are Harold Jones, Larry Teghtmeyer, John Kinsey, Tom Anglin, Brad Tandy, Charlene Knispel and Maurice Beer. [[In-content Ad]]
The Kosciusko County Council and Convention and Visitors Bureau commissioners agreed to disagree, as they have for two years, during Thursday's council meeting.
Phil Fozo, president of the CVB Commission, and commission member Joe Banks, approached the council Thursday to release $60,000 withheld from the 2003 CVB budget.
In May, the council approved a CVB budget of $290,000. The CVB board funds come from a 5 percent hotel and inn tax. Listed expenses include $133,573 for three employees and benefits, $11,750 for supplies and $218,177 for other services, such as professional services, communication and transportation, printing, advertising and insurance.
The CVB commission members serve at the pleasure of the county council, county commissioners and Warsaw City Council.
The council began asking for an itemized budget in 2001. Prior to 2001, since 1989, the CVB commission was given a lump sum to spend.
Councilman Larry Teghtmeyer said the funds can be spent on conventions, visitors and recreation. In the recreation category, capital projects are included.
"The Greenway is one such project," he said. "CVB funds could add to the required 20 percent match and be attractive to visitors."
Fozo said the $60,000 was for marketing and would be presented in grants to local organizations and agencies.
Council president Harold Jones thought it odd that it took the CVB 15 years to grant $124,000 to local entities and now half that amount is available in one year.
In 2002, $6,247 was given to 10 recipients.
"You're not looking at the $290,000 you get," Jones said. "You're looking at the $60,000 you're not getting."
Banks said the council has provided funds for the CVB to operate. "Our reason to exist is not to pay heat and lights," he said. "It is a marketing arm. If you're not prepared to tell us in 2003 (how to allocate the funds), put it back and we'll meet monthly to come to an agreement for 2004."
Brad Tandy said the tax could be used for more than marketing and advertising overnight lodging.
"Let's step back a little and look at capital projects like the CCAC and community projects," he said.
"That's never been said to us, it's been hinted," Fozo said. "It's our money. You withheld that $60,000."
"You're bound and determined to get every penny," Charlene Knispel said.
"There will be budget cuts next year. I'd like you to understand that."
"Well, hold the other departments' feet to the fire," Banks said. "Our spending is by state statute and 2003 is half gone."
"This year's request is over and above what you've ever asked for before. You have more than enough money to pay for other things," Jones said.
The council, Banks and Fozo agreed to continue monthly meetings.
Banks was first appointed to the CVB commission in 1992 by the county council. Fozo is a county commissioner appointee since 1994. Their terms end Dec. 31.
The council also heard an annual report regarding the Alcohol Probation Program from Superior Court 2 Judge James Jarrette.
The program, just completing its first year, is administered by the probation department. The local program ranked No. 1 in compliance with clinical standards, the judge said, and second in management of the 56 programs in the state.
"Clients" are evaluated for entry in the program and are expected to complete classes at a cost of $150. This year there were 170 individuals in the program.
In other business, the council:
• Approved capital projects funds for the Bell Memorial Public Library, Mentone, in the amount of $17,955; and for the Milford Public Library in the amount of $26,720.
Bell librarian Lorna Klein and Milford librarian Linn Landis appeared before the council. Bell's tax levy will be $.0133 per $100 assessed valuation and Milford's will be $.0167.
• Approved transfers: from the health department, $100 from education and training to workers' compensation; and the county commissioners, $20,000 from juvenile justice to unemployment compensation.
County council members are Harold Jones, Larry Teghtmeyer, John Kinsey, Tom Anglin, Brad Tandy, Charlene Knispel and Maurice Beer. [[In-content Ad]]