Lodgers board suggests changes to aid application

The Tucumcari Lodgers Tax Advisory Board approved a suggestion of several changes to its application form for requesting funds, including requiring a final report within 90 days after a tax-supported event ends.

If an organizer does not give a final report in front of the board within the 90 days of the event’s completion, it may result in the board denying the reimbursement of funds.

Board Chairman Matt Bednorz initially suggested an organizer give a final report to the board within 30 days. Tucumcari MainStreet director Connie Loveland suggested a longer period because of the difficulty in getting invoices from vendors in that time.

Regardless of the time period, board members supported the requirement of a final report.

“It should be a requirement, not an option,” Dawn Federico said.

Board member Michael Carlson also voiced support for the requirement because of “the need for accountability.”

The lack of a final report from organizers of the annual Rattler Reunion had become a sore spot for some board members. A Rattler Reunion final report and its invoices had been placed on the board’s agenda in the last three months, but no one from the event showed up. City manager Paula Chacon recommended giving Rattler Reunion one more month to present its report.

Another change on the application was the requirement of 25% of advertising funds spent within a 50-mile radius of Tucumcari. Bednorz recommended boosting the percentage to 100%, noting the Quay County Sun and Tucumcari’s radio stations circulate or broadcast beyond 50 miles.

The board is scheduled to recommend approval of a final draft of the form at its March 1 meeting. The board set a deadline for events to submit their tax-assistance forms for 5 p.m. March 15. The board then would make its funding recommendations in April.

In other business:

— The board voiced support for the formation of a local Route 66 centennial committee to help coordinate events and promotions for the highway’s 100th birthday in 2026.

Loveland, acting as a liaison for Tucumcari, said the New Mexico Route 66 Association is working with the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership to form committees in communities for Route 66’s centennial.

Loveland said the association is working with state Sen. Pete Campos to form a New Mexico Route 66 Commission, with the possibility of using revenue from Route 66 license plates for preservation projects along the road.

Loveland said the local committee would consist of five to nine people. Among them who have committed to being members are Randi Eidsmoe, Roadrunner Lodge Motel owner David Brenner and Tucumcari/Quay County Chamber of Commerce director Scott Crotzer.

Eidsmoe said other Route 66 communities are “light-years ahead of us” in planning for the centennial. She said she doesn’t believe there needs to be an official city Route 66 commission, but instead a “unified Tucumcari vision.” She said she also preferred that tax money not be used in such an initiative.

Several members signaled their support for such a committee.

“In my opinion, you have my support,” Bednorz said. Carlson said, “I’m behind it 100%.”

— The board again tabled action on the election of officers due to the absence of member Al Patel.

Bednorz said the board’s bylaws state a member is effectively off the board if he or she misses three consecutive meetings, as Patel has.

Bednorz said he was going to suggest Carlson be elected chairman. Bednorz suggested delaying action on an election until a full board was present, though member Lila Doughty said she would miss the March meeting because of surgery.