Hotel-Motel Tax Board Minutes 2019 August 22

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Hotel-Motel Tax Board Minutes 8/22/2019 Pg. 2 and Mishawaka Sports Complex total projected disbursements is $1 million which is included in the 2020 projected disbursements of $6,277,937 resulting in a projected 2020 year end reserve balance of $4,271,324. The budget was presented by Jarnecke, DeCleene and Mari Bishop to the St. Joseph County Commissioners. Anthony entertained a motion to approve the submitted 2020 Budget. Downes moved to accept; seconded by Walz, the motion carried. An email has been received from St. Joseph County Auditor John Murphy that the 2020 budget has been approved without any changes. The public hearing is scheduled on September 10, 2019, and the budget adoption meeting is scheduled on October 8, 2019. Discussion following regarding the money budgeted for the Mishawaka Sports Complex and Century Center building expenses. The money for the Mishawaka Sports Complex will be held in reserve and encumbered until the venue is operational. Parker explained that St. Joseph County has set up three separate funds for the General Fund, Potawatomi Zoo and the Mishawaka Sports Complex. Jarnecke explained that there is a 30-year master plan for capital improvement at Century Center. Because of the disbursements of the Hotel- Motel Tax Board, Century Center was able to make significant progress towards improvements throughout the building and will take some time off from major improvements with the exception of converting the Bendix Theatre into the Bendix Esports Arena for a diversified revenue stream. PRESIDENT’S REPORT Anthony stated that earlier in the year the State Board of Accounts informed the Hotel-Motel Tax Board of the need for written documentation of funding agreements with the organizations being funded. Those documents have been sent to the Potawatomi Zoo, Mishawaka Sports Complex and Century Center so that going forward the Hotel-Motel Tax Board is in full compliance. The notice of this meeting was sent to representatives of the Potawatomi Zoo and the City of Mishawaka. Anthony welcomed Josh Sisk and Margie Anella with Potawatomi Zoo and a Mishawaka representative to the meeting. Anthony will talk with the representatives about having Potawatomi Zoo and the Mishawaka Sports Complex give reports in the future. Anthony spoke on the growing economic concern and that the tourism industry often feels a slow down first. There has been a 10-11 year run of tax revenue increases in St. Joseph County which some may question whether that pace will continue. There is more hotel room supply than ever, more is being done to attract room night demand, and so far rates have held strong. However, this may not be sustained in economic down cycles. The cash reserves are in the budget to still be able to meet commitments if tax revenues go down. Critical Century Center projects have been funded that had been deferred maintenance in past years to the point that this year the Bendix Theatre new initiative is funded instead of routine maintenance. Kurth spoke on the $100,000 bid fund which allows VSBM and SMG staff at Century Center to write off the meeting room rental cost in the bidding process for groups to come to South Bend. Agency Reports Visit South Bend Mishawaka: Rob DeCleene distributed the newly updated Studebaker Bendix Heritage Trail brochure which highlights the trail around the area Studebaker and Bendix industrial heritage of the area. He reported on July 2019 St. Joseph County hotel occupancy data as reported by the STR, Inc. Destination Report. The hotel room demand over the last 12 months is triple the national average with a direct reflection from events such as Garth Brooks, NHL Winter Classic, USA Hockey National Championship, US Senior Golf Open, and Liverpool Soccer Friendly. The task is to continue that success into 2020. There are seven Notre Dame home football games in 2019 and