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partnering with the other entity that has a hotel/motel tax (Chapel Hill) and equally sharing the <br /> costs of promotion. <br /> Commissioner Nelson said that this issue of Chapel Hill keeping part of these taxes for <br /> other purposes is pretty significant. He suggested sending a letter to the Town Council asking <br /> them to designate 100% of those funds for tourism. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that the Visitor's Bureau is one of the most successful <br /> economic engines that the County has and it is a very engaged group. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Pelissier to <br /> ask the Chair to send a letter to the Chapel Hill Town Council regarding the hotel/motel tax <br /> allocation. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> Commissioner Hemminger asked about Carrboro and Commissioner Nelson said that it <br /> has enabling legislation for a hotel/motel tax. She suggested talking to the Mayors about this. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said to send a letter within the context of this discussion. <br /> Chair Foushee suggested waiting until Carrboro has a hotel before approaching the <br /> Mayor about the allocation of taxes. <br /> Frank Clifton explained how the taxes are collected for hotels and motels. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that the letter should be phrased within the context of the <br /> Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitor's Bureau discussion and the pros and cons of this allocation <br /> procedure. <br /> Frank Clifton said that Orange County is using all of the Visitor Bureau's tax to promote <br /> Chapel Hill/Orange County/Carrboro/Hillsborough tourism. The Town of Chapel Hill is <br /> collecting roughly the same amount as Orange County and is providing significantly less to <br /> promotion. If it is a governmental function, then Orange County should take advantage of that <br /> and maybe use some of it for other functions such as recreational facilities. <br /> Chair Foushee said that she would craft a letter for review by the Board of County <br /> Commissioners members. It can be amended if it does not capture what should be said. <br /> Basically, the County puts forward about $900,000 as opposed to $250,000 that Chapel Hill <br /> contributes of the same tax collection. This is the issue. <br /> Commissioner Nelson said that Chapel Hill is aware of this because the Visitors Bureau <br /> talks about it every budget year. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Hemminger, <br /> to solicit from the Visitors Bureau a response to the County's inclination to spin off as an <br /> independent entity and to tell the pros and cons. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> Orange County Arts Commission: <br /> Frank Clifton said that this is a unique situation because it is a department with one <br /> staff person. This was created because there is some State grant money that comes in each <br /> year and there has to be a designated body to approve the distribution of those funds. The <br /> County also provides a match for this function. His recommendation is to put money in for this <br /> function, but there is some overlap within the County and he cannot justify this full-time <br /> position. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz said that it is not clear to him what the alternatives are and he <br /> would like more information on this. <br /> Commissioner Nelson said that he has some strong feelings that the arts play a <br /> significant role in economic development and he is not convinced that the arrangement is <br /> currently working with economic development and the arts in Orange County. He wants to <br />