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3 <br />Laurie informed members that $15,000 is budgeted for research and the time frame is <br />June/July with data available in late August. A suggestion was made that once the data is <br />in, Pelletier could return and make a presentation to county leaders. <br /> <br />Chair Pavao motioned to approve the research. Dave Gephart & Bob Ward so moved to <br />approve as presented with Mark Sherburne seconding the motion. With all board <br />members in agreement the motion was carried unanimously. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Budget & Finance <br /> <br />Bob Ward, Finance Committee Chair, gave the financial report reiterating that the tax <br />receipts lag a month behind and we have three (3) months of revenue to go. Expenses are <br />par, in the 80-90% range. Confirmation was made that any revenue not spent at the end of <br />the budget year goes into the Visitor Bureaus Fund Balance account. <br /> <br />Pavao motioned to accept the finance report as given. Creston Woods so moved. John <br />Wilner seconded. With all board members in agreement the motion was carried <br />unanimously. <br /> <br />Executive Directors Report <br /> <br />Laurie briefly discussed the parking situation at the Bentley Building stating that the lack <br />of parking spaces is becoming a big issue and presented to the board the question of <br />whether relocating in five years would be in the VBs best interest. The consensus of the <br />board was positive in looking at that possibility. She also asked for their thoughts on <br />permitting and towing vehicles in the parking lot. The board concurred not to pursue <br />towing vehicles at this time and continuation of this discussion should be on Junes <br />agenda. <br /> <br />Laurie went on to discuss new builders/bankers on new hotels that are coming in and her <br />concern that the needs i.e. meeting spaces, hotels, etc. are not being met. Laurie presented <br />the question of whether the Visitor Bureau should publicly stand on new hotel build-out. <br />After brief discussion, the general consensus was to provide information but not <br />advocate. <br /> <br />A brief discussion regarding disappointing numbers for UNC commencement and hotel <br />occupancy ensued. <br /> <br />Sales Report <br /> <br />Linda Ekeland informed board members that the full service hotels are fairing better than <br />non, group business is pulling them through. They are considering offering packages for <br />groups and per person i.e., gas cards, lower rates to corporations, etc. <br />