Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Finance and Management Director to enter into contract with Experience Columbus for marketing services to increase tourism and convention business and for the disbursement of the Hotel/Motel excise tax proceeds in accordance with Section 371.02(c) of Columbus City Codes which, in part, designates a portion of funds for the purpose of promoting Columbus. For 2019, that portion of the Hotel/Motel excise tax is projected to be $10,472,000.00 and is provided to Experience Columbus per this ordinance.
Experience Columbus, Contract Compliance#: 31-4153118 (non- profit)
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes an expenditure of $10,472,000.00 from the Hotel/Motel Excise Tax Fund with Experience Columbus for marketing services related to increasing tourism and convention business for the City of Columbus. These funds are budgeted in the Hotel/Motel Excise Tax fund for these services. Funding for this contract will come from receipts into the Hotel/Motel tax fund in accordance with Section 371.02 of the Columbus City Codes. In 2018, the City entered into a $10,118,000.00 contract with Experience Columbus for these services. This piece is contingent upon passage of the 2019 operating budget ordinances.
Title
To authorize the Finance and Management Director to contract with Experience Columbus for marketing services to increase tourism and convention business and strengthen the image of the City of Columbus, Ohio; and to authorize the expenditure of $10,472,000.00 from the Hotel/Motel Excise Tax Fund. ($10,472,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Section 371.02(c) of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, specifies that 2.39% of the combined rates of 5.1% of the revenues of the hotel/motel excise tax are to be used for the promotion of the City of Columbus as a desirable location for conventions, tourism, trade shows, and similar events; and
WHEREAS, the aforementioned rates were established pursuant to Ord. 0484-2014; and...
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