Department of the City Manager
Reference: Brighton Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Recommendations
To: Mayor Kenneth J. Kreutzer and Members of City Council
Through: Marv Falconburg, Acting City Manager
Prepared By: Trenten Robinson, Management Fellow
Date Prepared: November 5, 2019
PURPOSE:
Per City Ordinance 2121 Section 3-40-170 b, the Brighton Lodging Tax Advisory Committee shall study, investigate and advise City Council as to the development and promulgation of policies for the implementation, support and use of revenues from the lodging tax for economic development, special events, cultural arts facilities, advertising and marketing, promotion of tourism and other activities related thereto. In particular, the Committee will advise the City Council on allocation, budgeting and appropriation of funds from the Lodging Tax Fund consistent with the provision of Section 3-40-50, Use of the tax.
The Brighton Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (BLTAC) is presenting their recommendations for the BLTAC Regular Grant awards and allocations for projects to be completed in FY 2020.
BACKGROUND
In August 2018, the City Council approved a pilot program modifying the annual Lodging Tax grant process for 2019 and 2020 to incorporate allocating forty percent of grant dollars to the Brighton Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and forty percent to the Brighton Cultural Arts Commission (BCAC). In turn, grant applications received by the committee in the areas of economic development and cultural arts would also be referred to the EDC and BCAC respectively. The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee would then interview any applicants that had not been referred to either EDC or BCAC and recommend grant allocations in a similar fashion to previous grant-cycle years. Subsequently, the attached resolution allocates $200,000 to both EDC and BCAC and does not include grant rewards for the applications that have been referred to the two organizations. Both the EDC and BCAC will present their recommendations to the BLTAC at a later date. The grant agreements with EDC and BCAC will still require reimbursement for programing expenses.
Eleven grant requests were received totaling $583,336. The BLTAC is recommending allocating $60,000 in addition to the $200,000 allocated to both EDC and BCAC for a total of $460,000.
On September 12, 2019, the BLTAC reviewed grant applications and referred six applications to BCAC and two to EDC. On October 3, 2019, the BLTAC met to interview the remaining three grant applicants. The Committee used an Evaluation Criteria consisting of the following evaluation criteria and associated “points available”:
Criteria maximum score points - 100
1. Organization qualifications and relevant experience/projects (comprehensive experience in promoting the city and specific community venues and events that result in an increase in visitors to the community). 15 points
2. Clear documentation of budget request and use of funds including a detailed budget narrative, budget justification and demonstration of ability to leverage and/or match other sources of funds. 50 points
3. Concept Proposal (adherence to Lodging Tax City Ordinance 2121 use of tax to promote lodging and positive economic impact to the community). 35 points
Based on the presentations and scored points, the Committee made the following recommendations in which set agreements will contain certain terms and conditions for reporting requirements to the committee
1. Office of Youth Services “Image Summit”: funds a two-day youth summit that focuses on building leadership and confidence skills. Attendees participate from across the state and boost sales for local hotels, restaurants, and businesses.
BLTAC Funding Recommendation: $45,000
2. Brighton Youth Commission “SPEAK Week”: activities include a 5k walk and school-based presentations to break down the stigma surrounding mental health. The programing provides the community and visitors with education about mental illness and information about invaluable, life-saving resources.
BLTAC Funding Recommendation: $15,000
Total BLTAC Grant Allocation: $60,000
FINANCIAL IMPACT
A. Brighton Economic Development Corporation $200,000
B. Brighton Cultural Arts Commission $200,000
C. Office of Youth Services “Image Summit” $45,000
D. Brighton Youth Commission “SPEAK Week” $15,000
Total Allocation: $460,000
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Approval of BLTAC Allocations and Grant Awards totaling $460,000.
ATTACHMENTS
• Resolution
• PowerPoint Presentation