Minutes 03-18-2025-Business Meeting

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42 marketing budget. She said it doesn't look like an obvious tourist destination. She praised their staff and partnerships. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if Laurie Paolicelli is concerned about the economic outlook. Laurie Paolicelli said that they are unsure of how they will be affected. She said that many federally funded programs are not allowing staff to travel. Commissioner Carter referred to slide #13. She asked how fund balance is reflected in the revenue chart. Kirk Vaughn said the difference between the expenditures and the revenue is the use of fund balance in FY25. Commissioner McKee referred to slide #5. He said he thinks that the increase from 2023 to 2025 seems to be a trend that will continue. He said that other areas are also experiencing this. He said they will have to work harder to get the programs and events to Orange County. Laurie Paolicelli said that one advertisement in Our State magazine is $25,000. She said they must use key words and digital strategies. She said that$100,000 is their advertising budget. Chair Bedford said she also served a term on the Visitors Bureau and appreciates the work that they do. She said that they can project the revenue that they will likely get with increased numbers of events. She said she had concerns about continuing to market in the same ways each year. She said that they've heard the need for performing arts space and that there is no space in Orange County. She said that the Eno Arts Mill need additional staff. She said that park space is used by many people from other places. She said that she agreed that the occupancy tax should be used to support other county expenses that support these facilities and events. She said that could free up dollars for the greatest of needs. She said that the work that is done to broaden and diversify is important. She said the pre-COVID weekday space use is not going to return. She said it is important to have a budget and she supports preserving what they have along with staying flexible. Commissioner Fowler said she agreed with the need for the Visitors Bureau to have a budget. She said she likes to see the numbers and the impact. She said she would like to see an increase in sales tax if the county can't use the occupancy tax. Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she would like to see occupancy tax funds used for tourism-related expenditures going more in the arts. She said she was supportive of option 2 on slide #11. Commissioner Carter said that she believes that the convergence of the arts with tourism is a unique opportunity, and she would like to see more of that. She said that it is unlikely in a tough year that the county would grow 50%. She said they should plan for a flattening out or even a recession. She said there appears to be flexibility, and that she was leaning towards something like an option 2. Commissioner McKee said he doesn't want to tinker around the edges of something that works, and that's how he sees option 2. He said he supports more funding for the arts, but he does not support tinkering around the edges. He said he doesn't want to see an impact on local businesses and if they continue what is successful, he thinks it is on the verge of turning Orange County into a destination. Commissioner Greene said she agrees that if they go with option #2, it should go to the arts. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked for clarification on slide #5 regarding the funds raised by the Arts Commission. Chair Bedford said that the purple shows the expenditures. Commissioner Portie-Ascott said with that information, she is unclear on what problem they are trying to solve. Vice-Chair Hamilton said one of the things she learned about funding non-profits is that expenditures are not based on the funding source because the funding can change. She said that