There has been a lot of information about the City “takeover” of the conference center in the media. It is no mystery that the Conference Center has had its share of struggles and detractors, but I do believe that we can find a solution for the conference center that is most beneficial to our city. Until this budget cycle (when I proposed the city have oversight of the conference center), the most recent configuration of financial support for the center was that the city government gave $350,000 a year to the PBA, which was responsible for the oversight and the management of the conference center. No local sales tax, no state sales tax, nor any property tax goes to the conference center. That $350,000 comes from the Hotel/Motel tax, which by state law can ONLY be spent on tourism related matters. (This budget year 2025-2026, the Hotel/Motel tax is projected to be $945,000). The oversight for the $350,000 was provided by the PBA, who is now resigning. They are resigning, but they are still responsible for the management and spending that has occurred to this point. As for the future of the conference center, an independent audit is being scheduled to identify deficiencies and areas of improvement. I do believe that a tourism center located directly off the interstate would be beneficial, and the conference center is the logical place to house that. I am slated to visit a nearby city tourism department and center on July 1st to learn more about the potential benefits. As for the current conference center employees, of the 27 part-time employees, only 3 have applied with the city to continue working at the conference center, and the current general manager did not apply. There have been over 15 applicants for the position of general manager, and a similar number has applied for the position of events coordinator. If you have an event already booked at the conference center, no worries! Your event will go on as planned. In closing, I know there are a lot of strong opinions and feelings about the conference center. I am going forward with what I believe to be the best option at this point. The tourism dollars as budgeted still go to the conference center, we realign and reimagine its management, and we grow its purpose in our town. In closing, I try to read all of your comments, although I can’t reply to them all. If you feel very strongly, the best bet is to call my office and come in to chat in person.