Last updated: Sep 23, 2024
Sep 23, 2024. Link to registration for sessions on Oct 3, 2024 at the Seasons Lodge. This post at Brown County Matters
Sep 20, 2024. Planned future sessions – Post at Brown County Matters. This post at Brown County Matters
Basic Facts, including roles and responsibilities:
2023 Indiana Code, Title 6. Taxation, Article 9. Innkeeper’s Taxes; Other Local Taxes
Chapter 14. Brown County Innkeeper’s Tax
o. Tourism marketing is supported by revenue from the innkeepers tax (around 1.3 million). It can be spent on anything that promotes tourism. Wikipedia identifies numerous categories of tourism.
o. The budget for how the revenue is to be spent is developed by the CVC and reviewed and approved by the County Council. The commissioners and council appoint members to the Convention Visitors Commission (CVC).
o. The CVC is responsible for contracting for any needed marketing-related support and is accountable for ensuring the efficient and effective use of tax dollars. Commissioners and Council are accountable for the performance of the CVC. The citizens are responsible for holding elected officials accountable.
o. The Convention Visitors Bureau (CVB) has been the selected contractor since around 1984.
o.The CVC budget can identify the projected amount of excess revenue that may be available for distribution. The original distribution was 75% to the Foundation and 25% to the county. A suggested change is a 50/50 split.
o.Ideally, the Commissioners and Council reference a documented vision for tourism (even better if this is included in the Comprehensive Plan) and appoint CVC members that support the vision.
And, as part of the budget process, the prior year’s plan and accomplishments should be briefed to the council. The council performs its due diligence when reviewing and approving the new budget. The budget process and hearings are public meetings.
Sept 10, 2024. Starting the conversation: CVB 1st in series of meetings outlines agency’s purpose, Brown County Democrat.
Sep 4, 2024. AUDIO from the Meeting
Additional context -Chart (System Map)
CVC/CVB – Some Facts and Context
CVC_CVB Mgmt of Revenue from Innkeepers Tax
Revenue from the Innkeepers Tax – History, Opportunities, Public Input, Excee Revenue Distribution
Independent Voters of Brown County IN 