Tourism board pursues

master trails map
By Scott Nicholson
nicholson@wataugademocrat.com

Watauga’s occupancy tax, currently in its second fiscal year, is continuing to bring in higher-than-expected revenues despite the lagging economy.

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners learned more about the tax during Monday night’s regular meeting.

This year, $659,000 has been budgeted, though monthly revenues are running above last year’s, with some months bringing in 30 percent more revenue than in the preceding year.

Major expenses for the year include $46,000 for development of a Web site, $51,000 in salaries and stipends and $17,000 for office rent and equipment.

Tourism Development Authority chairman Rob Holton said the authority was pursuing a master trails map, including expansion of the Middle Fork Greenway between Boone and Blowing Rock. He said the Web site should be launched by June 1, with the second phase to include interactive elements. TDA staff member Jared Everett reported on attending the recent Governor’s Tourism Conference, saying Web marketing was continuing to grow and the mountains were remaining a popular recreation destination.

Everett said there were a number of reasons for continued popularity for short-term lodging, primarily because gas prices don’t deter the typical vacation market. He also said the popularity of Appalachian Stet football had helped boost visitor numbers.

Holton said the lodging and rental managers who were collecting the occupancy tax should soon see promotional benefits. “This is what this Web site is specifically designed to do–put heads in beds,” Holton said. “We have the opportunity in the next five years to be one of the top two outdoor destinations east of the Mississippi.”

The commissioners approved a resolution supporting full funding for the Criminal Justice Partnership Program administered through a partnership with New River Behavioral HealthCare and local court agencies.

CJPP representative Mike Vannoy said the General Assembly had removed the program’s continuation status in the budget, which he said would threaten the program. He said the program served 58 offenders over a two-year period, which helped keep youth out of the court system by getting them substance-abuse treatment and support.

The commissioners approved a request by the Watauga County Soil and Water Conservation District to apply for a $300,000 state grant, which would be matched by $200,000 from Hebron Colony Ministries. The money would restore 3,000 linear feet of streambank on the Boone Fork of the Watauga River.

AppalCART requested an increase of 61 cents an hour and three cents a mile for Project on Aging transportation costs. The annual agreement was approved, with the new request attributed to rising fuel cost.

The commissioners also discussed roofs for the Western Watauga Community Center and a chapel building at the Watauga County Law Enforcement Center. Carver Roofing and Waterproofing submited a low bid of $3,695 for the chapel roof. County maintenance director Robert Marsh said he’d like to explore a metal roof for the community center.

Nelson reported the Local Government Commission had approved the county’s borrowing $70 million for construction of the new high school. The loan was closed with BB&T on April 10.