Lodgers board recommends funds for events

The Tucumcari Lodgers Tax Advisory Board at a special meeting Wednesday voted to recommend approval of all requests for financial aid as submitted from events and entities for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

The recommendations will go on to the city commission, which can accept, reject or modify them.

The board scheduled the special meeting to hear from city officials about the upcoming budget before making a decision on funding.

Board members in general were swayed by information from city finance director Rachelle Arias, who pointed out the state requires spending at least half of lodgers tax revenue within two years.

Board members also were informed that only one of three city-sponsored events were held during the past year, leading to unspent funds in the previous year’s budget.

Board member Al Patel noted even if the board recommended approval of all the fund requests, it still would have money left over from the proposed budgeted amount.

The only hesitation came from board Chairman Matt Bednorz, who admitted a $10,500 request to restart the Wheels on Fire 100 after a four-year hiatus “scares me.”

Bednorz said previous requests for the bicycle race were between $3,000 and $4,000. He said Wheels on Fire is “a great event,” but he suggested a compromise of $7,000 to $8,000.

Scott Crotzer, executive director of the Tucumcari/Quay County Chamber of Commerce that is organizing the event, said the cost of T-shirts — a key component of bicycle races — has doubled. He said Wheels on Fire will have other startup costs in holding its first event since 2019.

Other board members seemed unwilling to not grant Crotzer’s request.

Michael Carlson said Wheels on Fire became “a dormant event,” and added: “In my opinion, it’s time to go big or go home.”

Lila Doughty acknowledged concern about the request but observed previous editions of the race brought many athletes and their families to Tucumcari.

The board ultimately unanimously recommended funding levels of promotional funds for these events as originally submitted:

— Fired Up festival, $6,900;

— Wheels on Fire 100, $10,500;

— Chamber of Commerce, $7,500 (plus $47,000 in lodgers tax executive funds for operations);

— Rattler Reunion, $3,873.89;

— Mesalands Community College Foundation golf event, $4,000;

— Tucumcari Rawhide Days, $8,000.

In other business:

— David Raybould, owner of Sun Vista Outdoor Advertising, said he inspected a billboard on East Tucumcari Boulevard near La Cita restaurant that has been offered for lease to the city.

Raybould said the 12-by-25-foot billboard was “in good shape” and would require no more than $1,000 in repairs.

He provided an estimate to print a new vinyl, plus materials, of about $900.

He also recommended a long banner on the bottom of the structure where the city could publicize events.

Patel expressed satisfaction with the estimated cost and value of the billboard and said he would recommend executive lodgers tax funds to cover the lease of $4,000 for three years.

— The board approved re-enforcing a requirement of a deposit for anyone who wishes to rent the Tucumcari Convention Center. The requirement already existed, but enforcement apparently had waned during the COVID-19 pandemic.

— The board tabled action about the New Mexico Route 66 Museum, which takes up one wing of the convention center.

Bednorz said the museum is “an asset for the community,” but it uses valuable space at the convention center in what was supposed to be a temporary arrangement. In its current space, he said it is “a liability to the city and the taxpayers.”

City manager Paula Chacon said the city soon will form a task force to examine better ways to use the center.

— Jerry Lopez gave a report on the recent Cinco de Mayo Celebration at the convention center, which drew more than 400 people and generated more than $12,000 in ticket and liquor sales.

“For (organizing it on) short notice, it was well attended,” he said. “It was a great event.”

Chacon said she was planning for a similar event in 2024. She said Tucumcari Police Chief Patti Lopez told her that no incidents were reported at the celebration.

— Chacon said she likely would organize an arts festival in February or March. The city’s motel owners had requested a festival during the tourism off-season.

— During public comments, Mike Lee of Fast TV Network said he still had video footage of a 2022 motorcycle event, and no one at the city or its tourism marketer has requested it.

Chacon responded she was looking for a place to store the footage. Lee recommended uploading it to Vimeo, which costs $240 a year.