Hillsboro finance committee to consider CVB request for additional funds
A meeting of the finance committee of the city of Hillsboro has been called by chairperson Pete Pence to consider a request from the Highland County Convention and Visitor's Bureau for a possible increase in the percentage the organization receives from the city's "bed tax."
The committee will meet Thursday, April 19 at 5 p.m. in the conference room at the Hillsboro Fire Station, located at 204 North East Street.
The only item on the agenda is the Highland County Convention & Visitors’ Bureau’s request for funds.
During council's January meeting, Bob Lambert, Director of the Highland County Convention and Visitor's Bureau addressed council, saying that tourism is increasing in Highland County, and they wanted to be ready to meet the needs of the people traveling to the area.
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"I would just like council to begin looking at the tax that's collected," Lambert said in January. "The room tax (is) 3 percent, I believe, for the city. You give a half a percent to the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and that's very welcome. We do need a convention center in Hillsboro, specifically, Highland County. We need to look at maybe apportioning a little more money from that bed tax toward a convention center."
Lambert said that the HCCVB would look into creating the center in an existing building in town.
"We wouldn't be building a new building," Lambert said. "Maybe in a few years. Convention and tourism is increasing in Highland County, believe it or not. And we want to make sure we're prepared and ready for any kind of group that wants to come here and share in the bounty of Highland County."
According to numbers from the Hillsboro Auditor's Office, the city's lodging tax, or "bed tax," brought in approximately $26,897 last year. Of the funds that are collected, 75 percent goes to the city's general fund, 12.5 percent goes to Hillsboro Fire and Rescue for safety inspections and 12.5 percent goes to the HCCVB.
The HCCVB received approximately $3,375 last year from the city of Hillsboro.