CITY TAKES A PROPER PATH REVIEWING TOURISM FUND

When voters of Cape Girardeau approved a $5 million bond issue in 1983, primarily to provide local funds for a multipurpose civic arena, the measure left room for other endeavors in economic development. The Show Me Center has fulfilled the main purpose of the bond issue in a big way. City officials and other citizens are now evaluating whether the secondary intent of that measure has been fully realized. We wholeheartedly agree with this review and applaud the manner in which the city is approaching it.

Credit the city council, particularly Councilman David Barklage, for requesting the study of how money raised from a motel/restaurant gross receipts tax and property tax addition, both allowed in the 1983 vote, is being used. These revenue sources created the Convention and Visitors Bureau and continue to fund it. Some question whether money going to the bureau is delivering "bang for the buck"; others say the city should put to work surplus revenue raised from these sources on additional projects. Another school of thought is that money raised in excess of municipal obligations should be turned back to taxpayers.

The issue is one the council faces less often these days, one in which money is clearly available. However, the options, suggested from many different quarters, are varied and perhaps best foregone, in favor of relieving taxpayers. In confronting tough choices, the council has done a few things well to lay the groundwork for a decision.

The council opened this situation to the public, sending out the appropriate message that citizens had voted money for a purpose and citizens should have input on its disbursement. Returned to the council were 28 proposals some creative, others missing the mark, all well-intentioned about how money raised from these taxes can be put to work for the betterment of Cape Girardeau. We applaud the thinking that went into these recommendations and believe many deserve consideration beyond the application of this revenue source.

The city staff did an exemplary job of compiling the proposals where they could be easily analyzed by the council. Project descriptions, approximate costs and expected benefits were included in a tight package that was easy to understand.

The council asked its advisory board in this area, the Convention and Visitors Board, to function. The proposals were forwarded last week from the council to the board, calling for recommendations to be returned within 60 days. Ultimately, the decision rests with the council, but these elected officials are right to ask the advisory group to help come up with the best utilization of these funds.

Revenue from these taxes has done a great deal of good for Cape Girardeau, from construction of the constantly used Show Me Center to enhancement of convention and tourism promotions. Are there fuller uses for the funds? Have they been spent to their greatest efficiency? Will taxpayers get a greater benefit from certain projects or from the elimination of part of the taxes imposed with the 1983 vote? We commend city officials for supporting a timely evaluation of these taxes and trying to find answers to these questions.