Application process change recommended

Tucumcari’s city manager recommended the city’s Lodgers Tax Advisory Board change its application processes for financial assistance requests to events and tourist attractions after acknowledging last month’s funding process was “rushed.”

A split Tucumcari City Commission on May 27 adopted significant changes urged by City Manager Mark Martinez on funding contributions for festivals and tourism sites two days after the lodgers tax board issued its recommendations.

At least two board members said Wednesday they initially were taken aback by the funding amounts adopted by the commission.

“It seemed our recommendations were chucked out the door,” board secretary Al Patel said. “Where did we go wrong?”

“I wouldn’t take it personal,” Martinez said, adding the board was “using the best information it had at the time.”

He said new information about lodgers tax revenue persuaded him to recommend full funding for several events instead from of a $49,000 budget that guided the board.

Martinez also said the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic also swayed him.

“I felt it was important to fund everything,” he said. “It was a difficult year.”

“I was upset as well,” board Chairman Matt Bednorz said about the changes from its recommendations, “but realize we work at the discretion of the city.”

Martinez recommended two separate funding applications for festivals and tourism entities. One would be funded by the promotional fund — expressly for events — and the executive fund, which has more flexibility.

He also recommended the lodgers tax board make its recommendations in March or April, thus allowing negotiation and changes between it and the commission before they are finalized in May, just before the new fiscal year.

Martinez acknowledged because of the short time between the board’s recommendations and the commission’s final allocations, this year’s funding process was “rushed.” Part of the problem was city officials realized earlier in the month they had to appoint new board members to comply with its bylaws.

Board members voiced support for Martinez’s application proposals, though they took no action on them during Wednesday’s meeting.

Bednorz, noting Clovis’ lodgers funding application, suggested Tucumcari’s applications and other fine print for festivals should state: “Partially funded by the Tucumcari Lodgers Tax Board.”

Patel also suggested a funding cap on events, noting festivals should be encouraged to be financially self-supportive.

“They’re looking for a handout,” Patel said of festivals increasing their funding requests. “There’s no reason for them to grow.”

Martinez said the board should be cautious in implementing such a cap because he doesn’t want to deter current or future festivals. He acknowledged “there has to be a point we can’t be a cash handout.”

During his city manager’s report, Martinez said the board’s bylaws are “old and outdated.” He suggested they be changed at a work session or a future meeting that includes the city clerk. He suggested staggering board members’ terms so they don’t expire at once.

In other business:

• Connie Loveland, executive director of Tucumcari MainStreet, said Arizona-based writer Jim Hinckley is working on text for the city’s new visitors guide.

Loveland said because the guide won’t be available until relatively late in the tourist season, it will not solicit ads.

Its print run also will be limited, though the final number hasn’t been determined because tourism numbers so far have been stronger than anticipated. She said more people from Roswell, Amarillo and Albuquerque are making day trips to Tucumcari this summer.

Loveland said touting the city’s museums and Tucumcari Talking Tour should entice tourists to stay an extra day.

Board member Lila Doughty, who manages the Palomino Motel, endorsed that approach.

“You can’t see all the history of Tucumcari in one day,” Doughty said.

Loveland said she also would meet with representatives from the New Mexico Route 66 Museum and the Tucumcari Historical Museum to work out details on a joint rack card.

• Martinez said the city has applied for grant funding with New Mexico True, which includes benefits for the city if it’s granted. He also praised “the great quality” of work so far by Robyne Beaubien Consulting for marketing and branding services.

• Martinez said the city may have a contract with a new manager for the Tucumcari Convention Center that would save money. If the details are ironed out, he said the city likely would finalize the contract after the new fiscal year begins July 1.

• The board’s next meeting will be 11 a.m. July 6, a Tuesday. The board usually meets at 10 a.m. on the first Wednesday of the month, but members voiced tentative support for possibly changing that structure when its new bylaws are adopted.