HomeMy Public PortalAbout03-07-2022 Minutes Tourism Board Regular Meeting
101 E. Orange St., PO Box 429, Hillsborough, NC 27278
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Tourism Board Minutes | 1 of 2
Minutes
Hillsborough Tourism Board
Remote regular meeting
5:30 p.m. March 7, 2022
Virtual meeting via YouTube Live
Town of Hillsborough YouTube channel
Present: Chair Matt Hughes, Vice Chair Kim Tesoro, and
members Mark Bateman, Barney Caton, Barry Hupp,
Tommy Stann and Cathleen Turner
Absent: Victoria Pace
Staff: Planning and Economic Development Manager Shannan Campbell
1. Call to order
Chair and Commissioner Matt Hughes called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m. with six members present.
2. Agenda changes and approval
There were no changes.
Motion: Member Tommy Stann moved to approve the agenda as presented. Member Mark Bateman
seconded.
Vote: 6-0. Ayes: Members Bateman, Barney Caton, Hughes, Stann, Kim Tesoro and Cathleen Turner
3. Minutes review and approval
Feb. 7, 2022
Motion: Tesoro moved to approve the minutes from Feb. 7, 2022. Caton seconded.
Vote: 6-0. Ayes: Members Bateman, Caton, Hughes, Stann, Tesoro and Turner
4. Discussion/action items
A. FY23 Draft Budget
Campbell said projected prepared food and beverage tax revenues are $400,000 for the next fiscal year. For
Fiscal Year 2022-2023, the board could give out $20,000 in grants, reserve $10,000 for special projects and
partnerships, and have $5,866 unassigned.
Campbell reminded the board that, at a previous meeting, she had suggested not increasing the amount for
contract partners because she did not have the draft audit for last year at that time. With the draft audit for
last year and revenue information for the first half of this year, she is comfortable recommending allowing
contract partners to ask for small increases. She said two contract partners have told her they have ideas to
expand programs and would like to make a case for an increase.
Board members remembered that they wanted to revisit the audit fees because it feels to them that the
Tourism Board and Tourism Development Authority are paying a higher price for audits than they should be.
Tourism Board Minutes | 2 of 2
The board decided it would be OK for contract partners to make requests for more money with an
explanation of how an increase would be beneficial.
Member Barry Hupp joined the meeting at 5:47 p.m.
5. Monthly reports and comments
A. Tourism staff report and Orange County Visitors Bureau updates
Campbell noted:
• Tourism efforts underway include updating maps and brochures for spring and changing taglines and
marketing campaigns for spring and summer.
• Some Last Fridays activities will resume on the lawn of the Orange County Historical Courthouse, and
Last Fridays is continuing with the decentralized model that has already been implemented.
Sarah Sandbeck, executive director of the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough, reported that the turnout was
strong for Living History Day, with about 700 visitors.
Campbell shared a draft chart showing prepared food and beverage tax revenue by classifications (bar, fast
food, fast casual, sit down and other) that she had been working on.
B. Board comments and updates
Some board members informally shared how their businesses were doing, particularly with attracting
employees.
6. Adjournment
Motion: Hughes adjourned the meeting at 6:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Shannan Campbell
Economic Development Planner
Staff support to the Hillsborough Tourism Board
Approved: April 4, 2022