Hotel-Motel Tax Board Minutes 2019 April 26

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Hotel-Motel Tax Board Minutes 4/26/2019 Pg. 2 Discussion followed that the Board is doing more to promote tourism and bring more people to St. Joseph County. That effort has been totally ignored. A sunset of the tax is included. The 60% which is designated for a “Sports Complex Fund” referring to a Mishawaka indoor sports complex will expire July 1, 2024, or the date on which the operation of the indoor sports complex have expired, whichever is later. The 40% called a “Zoo Fund” referring to the Potawatomi Zoo expires on the later of July 1, 2024, or the date on which any bonds, leases or debt obligations that are financed with tax revenue have been expired or have been paid. Further discussion followed that the effective date is June 30, 2019. The Hotel-Motel Tax Board submitted a budget that has been ratified at the county level and may be certified at the State level. There are many questions to be answered including where do the funds for the Mishawaka sports complex go when currently there is no sports complex. The board has been waiting for an entity to come forth with a plan of the sports complex for the Board to review for funding if it is fiscally respon- sible to do so. Suggestion was made to seek an accounting opinion and a legal opinion locally from someone familiar with State laws of how the Board should proceed. Another suggestion was made to contact the Hotel Lodging Association to reach out to legislators. Anthony requested volunteers to form a committee and Downes, Parker, McDonnell volunteered. Downes motioned to seek a formal legal opinion on how to proceed prior to the effective date of the law; seconded by McNeil; the motion carried. Questions and discussion continued on how to pay for the legal opinion, possibly forming a second committee for advocacy to reach out to legislators so not to be caught off guard in the future and so that they are aware of what the Hotel-Motel Tax Board does. As an appointed board, members could contact the local officials regarding how to proceed downstate to present a united front and to reflect the view of the community. Visit South Bend Mishawaka could provide a room night report to have an opportunity to review the zoo room night generation. Actions Items: Dan Parker will investigate with John Murphy at St. Joseph County and the State to figure out the flow of funds. McDonnell, Parker and Downes volunteered to form a committee for a plan of action prior to July 1 and will look into legal representation. Anthony will be ad hoc. Kurth will contact the Indiana Restaurant & Lodging Association to request contacts for legal representation downstate. Rob DeCleene will be sent copies and be included in information in a manner that would not be perceived as a conflict of interest with funding disbursement to Visit South Bend Mishawaka. A June meeting date will be put on hold until the committee reports. Anthony will email a copy of the letter sent to local state representatives to all Board members. Board members will request meetings with all local officials who appointed them to meet with the Board. The two new entities being funded (Potawatomi Zoo and new Mishawaka sports facility) will be invited to Hotel-Motel Tax Board meetings to present reports on how the funds are being used. Anthony noted that this is the last meeting that Leanna Belew will attend as she is moving for a job in Tennessee. He thanked Belew for her six years of service as SMG General Manager at Century Center and her work to increase the number of room nights. Anthony announced that Rob DeCleene, Executive Director of Visit South Bend Mishawaka was named Member of the Year by the Indiana Tourism Association in March. He thanked DeCleene for his hard work and increase in tax revenues that have occurred during his time with VSBM.