Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Tucumcari’s city manager said she was exploring an idea of using lodgers tax funds to help pay for new lighting for Tucumcari Public Schools’ ballpark redevelopment project.
Paula Chacon said during the city’s Lodgers Tax Advisory Board meeting Wednesday the city has been cultivating a more cooperative relationship with the school district.
She said aiding the district with new lights for the new high-school baseball and softball fields that soon would be built would be “an investment that’s beneficial to the city.”
However, she said she could not commit to an amount because of more pressing matters with the city pool and the Tucumcari Recreation Center, both which need repairs for leaks.
Board Chairman Matt Bednorz signaled he would place a proposal about aiding the ballpark redevelopment plan on the agenda for the board’s next meeting on Nov. 9.
In other business during the meeting:
• Bednorz asked Chacon for more enforcement against occupied recreational vehicles on private property, especially when the city has three operating RV parks.
“I feel like there’s lodgers tax that we’re missing,” he said.
Board member Lila Doughty said one RV has been parked at Wailes Park for months, and RVs use the parking lot at the closed Kmart for days.
City commission liaison Mike Cherry said he recalled that city ordinance allows RVs on private property on a short-term basis if users are visiting family members.
Chacon said she would check city ordinances to see whether the cited examples are violators.
• City finance director Rachelle Arias said the city has received 34% of its budgeted lodgers tax revenue in the first quarter, ahead of projections.
While encouraged by that number, Bednorz said he appreciated Arias budgeting those numbers conservatively and noted future quarters might not look as fiscally favorable.
• City marketer Robyne Beaubien said she was preparing ads for a holiday campaign to entice travelers to stay two nights in Tucumcari, plus she was collaborating with New Mexico True on 2023 campaigns.
Beaubien said she also is updating images and information about the city’s murals that will be placed on the city’s tourism website.
• Tucumcari/Quay County Chamber of Commerce director Scott Crotzer talked about events this month, including the Great Pumpkin Giveaway at the Rex E. Kirksey Ag Science Center on Oct. 22 and the Tucumcari Historical Museum Pumpkin Crawl and Hocus Pokey dance and costume party at the Elks Lodge, both on Oct. 29.
Crotzer also mentioned the Glow on 66 Christmas Light Parade on Dec. 3, which will include a $500 prize for the best float and a route that will include Second Street. The chamber also is organizing a chile ristras sale for the season as a fundraiser.