(Le Mars) — Le Mars City Administrator Scott Langel announced to the city council during its last meeting that he would like to see some changes with the money that is be allocated to various organizations and projects that are derived from the hotel/motel sales tax. The city council was presented with a list of
suggested projects to be funded as recommended by the Le Mars Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Board. The CVB Advisory Board received 13 applications totaling $49,763.19. Three applications for projects were turned down by the CVB
Advisory Board, while three other applications were approved, but with partial funding. It is estimated the local hotel/motel tax will generate approximately $130,000. The Le Mars Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Board recommends
funding $31,951 in project grants, and to allocate $82,500 toward the operation of the Le Mars Convention and Visitors Bureau and Visitors Center which will oversee a community marketing cooperative initiative. Langel says he is suggesting the
council not to fund the requested projects from the hotel/motel tax.
Langel further explains his reasoning for his suggestion.
The city council will decide at its next meeting whether to fund the requested projects, or to follow Langel’s suggestions. Some of the projects that had requested funding and approved by the CVB Advisory Board include: 2018 Ice Cream Days events, Color Me Sweet Fun Run, 2017 Pioneer Village Christmas, YMCA’s
Sprint Triathon, 2018 Bicycle Tour de Plymouth, 2017 Frosty Cross, the city of Le Mars for the printing of a brochure to assist group tours, and Plymouth County Fair Board for money to help with renovations to a commercial exhibit building.
