Agreement in principle reached on chamber funding

The Tucumcari/Quay County Chamber of Commerce appeared Wednesday to reach an agreement in principle with Mayor Ralph Moya to provide $40,000 in lodgers tax executive funds to cover the chamber’s operations for the upcoming fiscal year.

The city commission likely will act officially on the request at its next regular meeting on June 8.

During the city commission’s previous regular meeting on May 25, commissioners did not act on the chamber’s request for $47,000 in executive lodgers tax funds, with $12,000 to operate the Tucumcari Visitors Center inside and $35,000 for general chamber operations. Moya noted the lodgers tax advisory board did not make a recommendation on the $47,000 request.

Moya said during a special city commission meeting Wednesday regarding its annual budget he was “not willing” to grant the chamber’s request of $47,000 of such funds and would recommend between $30,000 and $40,000 instead.

A few minutes later, Moya said he would accept a request of “close to 40 (thousand).”

Finally, Moya said he would accept a request of $40,000 to the chamber, plus a memorandum of understanding with the city.

City commissioner Mike Cherry suggested the chamber’s president, Kenton Perkins, convene with city manager Paula Chacon and Moya to work out the details.

Perkins and other chamber supporters attended Wednesday’s meeting to request the funding.

During previous sessions, city officials speculated whether the chamber could be eligible for Greater Tucumcari Economic Development Corporation or Local Economic Development Act funds.

Matt Bednorz, chairman of the lodgers tax advisory board, said the $12,000 requested for the visitors center “is not controversial,” but he indicated he would be more comfortable with the chamber’s full request if it performed more tourism marketing. Currently, the city hires an outside tourism marketer whose contact expires this month.

Bednorz said, in his opinion, the chamber should be paid by the EDC.

Perkins said he doubted the chamber would qualify for LEDA funding, and city finance director Rachelle Arias agreed with that opinion.

Cherry said such funding “probably is not a good fit” for the chamber.

Moya insisted the chamber have an MOU with the city to lay out its obligations and “be accountable.” Chamber Executive Director Scott Crotzer said he has submitted monthly invoices to the city, including for remodeling the chamber building.

Carole Keith, a member of the chamber board, said the chamber once was funded from the city’s general fund via business license fees.

Crotzer said in previous meetings the chamber’s duties have been “stripped away” in recent years. As recently as 2016, he said the chamber received more than $80,000 in funding.

Commissioner Christopher Arias, attending the meeting by phone, said he favored “a correct process” between the city and chamber and added he wanted “to find a way to fund the chamber of commerce.”

Commissioner Paul Villanueva was ill and did not attend the meeting.

The commission on May 25 granted the chamber’s request of $7,500 for events and $10,500 for organizing the Wheels on Fire 100 bicycle race, both from lodgers tax promotional funds.