HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-17-2009
MEETING NOTES
C l TY O F,
AUBURN TAX ADVISORY BOARD
~~wASHINGTON Thursday, December 17, 2009
~ Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce
Members Present:
Board: Chair Sue Singer, Nancy Wyatt, David Kwok, Khara Nixon and Dixie Scahel,
Staff: Debbie Luce and Kirsten Reynolds
Opening:
Chair Sue Singer called the Auburn Tax Advisory Board meeting to order at 1:35 p.m. on December
17, 2010, at the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce.
➢ The Board reviewed the second year Auburn Tax Advisory Board budget for needed
adjustments. Every month the revenue has been down by the following amounts:
January = $1,311 May = $1,457 September = $742
February = $281 June = $1,400 October = $ 1,833
March = $1,114 July = $1,559 November = $1,729
April = $ 1,034 August = $1,697
These amounts total approximately $14,000. As a result all line items needed to be adjusted
to make up for this 24% decrease from the previous year. There is a large reserve that will
help to sustain the current economy situation for possibly two more years but if it lasts much
longer than that operations will be severely effected.
➢ Auburn Tourism Board (ATB) Manager Salary
• The ATB Manager Debbie Luce has agreed not to take a pay raise this year because of
the decrease in revenue. The Tax Advisory Board discussed the necessity for this and
was in agreement for this to happen.
➢ Cuts and Budgeting
• There needs to be approximately $15,000 cut from the budget. The Board decided the
amounts needed to be cut from the revenue side and to be conservative. Line items
and amounts to be cut/saved are as follows:
■ Visitor's Guide =$7,000 (contract not continued for 2010)
■ Certified = $2,000 (after six month contract to be located in Canada for the Olympics)
■ Fostcards = $1,000
■ ROI = $8,000
Totaling = $18,000
There should be $6600 taken out of the revenue side of the budget at the en'd of the
year.
• Banners - a separate line item needs to be added under revenue. The income has
increased from $2,500 last year.
■ Income = $6,000
■ Expenses = $4,900
• Promotional Materials -
■ A separate category needs to be added to the budget for the Wedding Show to
document the fees and expenses.
■ The Discover Auburn Week expenses need to be identified and separated out
in the budget. This needs to be moved to the promotional materials section.
■ Advertisements are being sought for reprinting the ATB map/brochure.
➢ Bridal Show - October 2 and 3, 2010 • The Board discussed the progression of the event and reviewed the current budget for
the event. Bill Higdon owner of Select Photography has agreed to let us use some of
his wedding photos for the Sponsor Packets and other printed materials. He also
rethought being a vendor due to the location and advertising numbers. When first
approached he said he would not participate. He will donate all of the prints for the show
as well as bringing his new mobile photography booth as a vendor. Debbie will seek
sponsors to offset expenses after the sponsor packet is complete. She also will begin
signing up vendors.
• Currently the expenses and revenue is:
■ Revenue = $42,200
■ Expenses = $50,595
➢ Appointments
• The following people have expiration dates for their position on the Auburn Tourism
Board: Phil Edwards, Bob Dunn and Debbie Luce. Those positions now are not
appointed by the Mayor. We need to look at our partner list and take off those who do
not participate. The Lodging Tax Advisory Board does need to look at appointing
another attraction to replace Dave Aust. Renee Bochnovich from the Supermall was
recommended to fill that position on the LTAB.
➢ Adjournment at 2:15 p.m.