WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS AWARD SPRING 2025 HOT FUNDS

  

Washington County Commissioners approved the spring 2025 allocation of hotel occupancy tax (HOT) grant funding at their meeting today (Tuesday).

Commissioners fulfilled $16,900 in funding requests from five organizations to assist with their promotion of events, operating expenses or special projects.  Eight requests were made for $50,500, but three were not funded. 

The organization awarded the largest amount was the Burton Chamber of Commerce, receiving $8,900 of its $25,000 request for a billboard project.  A request for a billboard advertisement along Highway 290 was funded in full for the Brenham Heritage Museum at $3,500. 

The Chappell Hill Chamber of Commerce will get $2,500 of its $5,000 request for the Chappell Hill Visitors Center and the full $1,000 sought for the production of marketing rack cards in 2025.  The Chappell Hill Historical Society’s application for $1,000 to use for advertising was funded in full.

The Chappell Hill Chamber also submitted requests for $3,000 to use for its Wine and Chocolate Stroll and $2,000 for its Art Walk, but neither were approved for the funding.  County Judge John Durrenberger stated that the Chamber was three days late in submitting its funding applications for the two events. 

A grant eligibility committee reviews documents included with funding requests to ensure they fit within the parameters of the grant.  A funding committee then reviews the requests and makes recommendations to commissioners on what applicants should receive.  Commissioner Kirk Hanath said in the case of the Chappell Hill events, both the eligibility committee and funding committee agreed that the county needed to have those documents in on time in accordance with policy, leading to the decision to not fund them.

Also denied funding was the Washington County Historical Cemetery Association, which asked for $10,000 for historical restoration projects.  Durrenberger said the association did not meet the criteria for the funding award.  Hanath said funding requests are considered using a two-part test that includes determining how a project or event will generate “heads on beds”, or benefit the tourism or hotel industry.

HOT funds are awarded twice a year for the spring and the fall, with a budget of $25,000 on average for each.  In June, the county awarded $15,320 in HOT funds to four organizations for the fall 2024 cycle. 

Hanath said since the county is awarding less than the standard budget for now the two most recent cycles, the funding committee has asked the court to remain aware of that come fall 2025, in case there are any larger projects to consider at that time that meet funding qualifications.

Also at today’s meeting, commissioners accepted a request for qualifications (RFQs) from PlanNorth and Populous for professional services related to architectural/site planning and engineering services, covering the construction of a new rodeo arena.  Expo Director Harrison Williams said the county received five responses on the project.  A contract will come before the court at a later time. 

Another item involving the Expo was approved, that being the purchase of new rodeo and livestock equipment from Powder River out of Utah, through The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS).  Williams said the purchase covers new equipment at the rodeo arena and in Barn #1.  The total comes out to $280,000, but Williams said Powder River's bid was the lowest, and the combined purchase allows the county to save around $30,000.

In other items, the court:

• Approved a job description for a part-time marketing position dedicated to the Washington County Expo.  Williams said the position, which will be paid with HOT funds, will help advertise and build brand recognition for the Expo.
• Approved the reappointment of members to the Washington County Historical Commission for two-year terms beginning in 2025.  Serving on the commission are Tom Stevens, Steph Jarvis, Michael Schlabach, Bob Cox, Cheryl DaBera, Sally English, Jon Failor, Tina Henderson, Linda Jurecka, Susan Kiel, Stephanie Kinghorn, Don Koester, David Lancaster, Brad Nies, Kathy Parker, Beth Rothermel, Barbara Schoenemann.
• Set the dates and times for commissioners court meetings in 2025, designating the second Tuesday of each month as the regular meeting at 9 a.m. and the first, third, fourth and fifth Tuesdays as special meetings at 9 a.m.