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Though the Kosciusko County Convention and Visitors Bureau presented its 2003 budget to the county council at $363,500, the county council approved only approximately 80 percent ($290,000) of it Thursday.
The CVB's money comes from the hotel and inn tax. For 2003, the CVB projected taking in an estimated $360,000 from the tax with $4,000 from interest.
Expenses include approximately $133,573 for personnel services; $11,750 for supplies; and approximately $218,177 for other services and charges (professional services, communication and transportation, printing, advertising, insurance, etc.).
However, county councilman Larry Teghtmeyer said it is his belief that some of the money the CVB receives should be considered for capital improvement projects in the county, like biking and walking paths.
Joe Banks, speaking for the CVB, said that issue was considered at the CVB's meetings but it was decided capital improvement projects were not, per se, part of the CVB's obligations, though projects like the path could be considered for the CVB's programming budget.
Teghtmeyer said it was his position that the CVB wasn't allocating enough money for capital improvement projects. He said 20 percent should be earmarked from the tax by the CVB for such projects.
"This money is not a pool of cash for developing the county," said Banks, but for promoting events and such items as are already in the county.
County councilman Maurice Beer said the state legislature should give the county council more control of the CVB's budget.
Teghtmeyer made a motion to appropriate only 80 percent of the CVB's budget for 2003 and the motion was unanimously approved.
In another matter, attorney Mike Miner presented a request to the county council on behalf of RVision for an economic development bond. According to Miner, the county approved an economic bond for the company in 1998 and that has since "turned out very nice." The company now employs 600 people to make travel trailers. RVision, just south of Warsaw, plans to expand, Miner said, and wants the county to facilitate another economic development bond for them. The council gave their preliminary approval. In November, the council will have to grant final approval.
Several transfers also were approved and included: Extension Office, $2,000; 911, $15,000; county prosecutor, $75; county commissioners, $100,000 for group insurance from the inmates and institutions account; $64,284.28 from jury fee fund account to county general miscellaneous revenue; and $6,500, Area Plan Commission.
County councilmen present at the meeting were Harold Jones, Larry Teghtmeyer, John Kinsey, Tom Anglin and Maurice Beer. Not present were Brad Tandy and Jim Tranter. The next council meeting is Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. in the county courthouse, Warsaw.
