CVB REQUESTS $50,000 FOR CONTINGENCIES

Bob Hoppmann cited an immediate need for extra funding of the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau Tuesday.

"We need a contingency fund this year," said Hoppmann, CVB Advisory Board chairman. "We have had some worthwhile projects brought to our attention recently, and we expect to hear from others in the future."

Hoppmann made his request during a special "working luncheon" Tuesday at Drury Lodge attended by advisory board and Cape Girardeau City Council members.

A contingency fund was part of a recommendation presented by the CVB board to the City Council last month following a six-month study of proposals concerning the use of excess revenues from the city's motel and restaurant tax.

The board's recommendation came after a study of eight proposals for the use of the money. The CVB board recommended that the community would gain the most by expending the excess funds on a project with a sports theme.

Two of the eight projects were sports-type facilities, and the board asked that the best features of each sports theme project be combined to achieve the highest and best use of the funds."

"You will recall, however, that a suggestion for a contingency fund was also included in our proposal," said Hoppmann. "What we're requesting here is $50,000 for the purpose of funding several small projects concerning tourism this year."

Hoppmann told the group that the CVB board had received recent requests for funds for an Indian Trade Show and Pow-Wow, a mural project, and advertising help for the SEMO District Fair.

Hoppmann explained that the contingency fund was for this budget year only. "Next year's budget will incorporate the needed funds into the budget," he said.

"Does that mean the CVB budget will be $350,000 next year?" asked Councilman David Limbaugh.

"I think not," said Hoppmann. "I think we can find some ways to reduce our budget next year. It could be $320,000, or maybe $315,000. It could still be at $300,000. Our problem now is that the 1992-93 budget has already been set, and we did not allow for additional funding requests."

Councilwoman Mary Wulfers suggested the new-funds request be taken to the council. "Why not send us a list and we'll decide what the money should be used for?" said Wulfers.

CVB Advisory Board member Pete Poe answered: "There are a lot of small community- and tourist-oriented projects out there," he said. "We think there is enough money for several projects without sending every one of those requests to the City Council."

Following the meeting Wulfers conceded that the CVB board's plan of making decisions on small requests was a feasible one.

Limbaugh questioned whether the withdrawal of $50,000 for the contingency fund would impact the funds available for a sports complex.

"It would," said J. Ronald Fischer, city manager. "Any time you take funds out of the balance, it will change the projections of funds for the future."

Al Stoverink, assistant city manager, said the balance at this time was $461,000, and that a five-year projection of funds available had been made.

"I'll run some new projections before the council meets next week," said Stoverink. "I'll run the projections with and without a $50,000 contingency fund withdrawal, and I'll run out lists including 3 percent growth factors and zero percent growth factors."

Hoppmann said the CVB board would like to have an answer on the contingency fund when the council meets Wednesday, or at the latest by the Sept. 21 meeting.