Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The Tucumcari Lodgers Tax Advisory board unanimously recommended the use of more than $16,000 in motel tax funds so Mesalands Community College could erect three billboards to promote its dinosaur museum.
The measure goes on to the Tucumcari City Commission, which could accept, reject or modify the recommendation.
Josh McVey, the college’s chief communications officer who made the presentation in front of the board Wednesday, said the number of billboards for the museum had been reduced to one.
Subsequently, he said, attendance at the museum subsequently dropped by half — from 3,500 visitors a month to 1,600.
McVey said the financially troubled college wanted help by having motel tax funds cover the cost of one-year leases for new dinosaur museum billboards near Five Mile Park, near Santa Rosa and another along Interstate 40 west of Amarillo.
He presented proposals of $11,590 for two billboards and $16,317.16 for three. Lamar Advertising’s data showed two of those billboards each generated more than 72,000 impressions per week from travelers.
Board Chairman Matt Bednorz said the dinosaur museum attracts many tourists and generates lodgers tax revenue. Noting the museum once attracted 40,000 tourists a year, he added: “We need all the visitors we can get.”
Bednorz said the board also is obligated by state law to use up to $151,000 in lodgers tax funds over a two-year period, and he supported using those for all three billboards.
Board member Michael Carlson also voiced support for funding.
“Personally, I think it’s a no-brainer,” he said.
Board member Lila Doughty, who manages the Palomino Motel, said she receives many inquiries about the town’s museums.
“I’m all for it,” she said of the proposal.
Board members Al Patel and Dawn Federico were absent.
After the vote, McVey thanked the board.
“It’s very helpful,” he said.
In other business:
— The board tabled an election from officers until it receives direction from the city commission on the possibility of changing board bylaws.
City manager Paula Chacon researched the bylaws and determined that board members are appointed to two-year terms and cannot serve more than two consecutive terms.
Based on those rules, at least four members are not in compliance — Bednorz (initially appointed in 2015 and reappointed in May 2021), Patel (appointed in 2013 and reappointed in 2019 and May 2021) and Federico (appointed in May 2021).
Doughty also was appointed in 2019 and was not officially reappointed. Carlson was appointed last September.
“I’d be happy to step down as chairman,” Bednorz said.
Chacon and others said a bylaw change might be warranted because of little previous interest in serving on the board.
— Tucumcari Municipal Golf Course manager Charlie Maciel and Mesalands Community College Foundation member Phil Bidegain give an informal report on a recent benefit golf tournament that received lodgers tax funds.
Bidegain said the tournament generated money for the foundation’s endowment and will cover at least two scholarships for next year’s golf team at Mesalands.
Maciel estimated about 100 people, which includes family members of the golfers, attended the event.
“I think you got your money’s worth,” he said.