Lodger's Tax Advisory Board Meeting – September 9, 2025: Funding Allocations and Financial Review
Lodger's Tax Advisory Board Meeting – September 9, 2025
The City of Clovis Lodger's Tax Advisory Board met on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 5:30 PM in the North Annex, 701 N. Main, Clovis, NM. The board reviewed a financial update, heard presentations from five event organizers, and allocated a total of $75,000 in lodging tax funds. The meeting was chaired by Thomas Martin; other members present: Brady Bryant, Commissioner Garza, Tasha Padilla, Millie Perthener, and Jonathan Nelson (arrived late).
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the July 8, 2025 meeting were approved unanimously (motion by Tasha Padilla, seconded).
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made.
Discussion Items
- Financial Report (Mr. Howalt): The board received a financial overview for the first two months of the fiscal year. Budgeted lodger's tax promotional dollars: ~$48,000; actual received: ~$59,000 (a positive difference of ~$11,000). $84.91 reverted from the prior year, with one event (Home and Garden Show) potentially submitting receipts. Total available distribution for the year: $363,000; $80,000 already allocated in July, leaving $283,000, or about $57,000 bi-monthly. Requests before the board totaled $128,800. If fully awarded, the remaining balance would be $154,000 (~$38,000 bi-monthly).
- New Mexico Road Association (Mr. Wilson): Requested $30,000 for the 45th annual finals rodeo on October 3-4, 2025. The event brings participants from across the state, focusing on family involvement. Estimated 3 nights of room stays (participants arriving Wednesday/Thursday, leaving Sunday). Funds would be used for jackets, saddles, and buckles. Board expressed support, noting the event's long history.
- New Mexico Cup LLC (Saturino): Requested $27,000 for a national soccer tournament on November 22-23, 2025, with teams arriving as early as Thursday and staying through Monday (4 nights). The applicant previously hosted a similar event without lodger's tax support, drawing teams from Chicago, Houston, and elsewhere. Commissioner Garza and a board member met with the applicant; the board noted it would bring significant out-of-town visitors. Discussion on expenses (trophies at $234 each) and referee shirts.
- Clovis Music Festival (Kim, Sherry, Robin): Requested $20,000 for the 36th annual festival in April 2026. Presented advertising statistics: Vibe TV streaming reached over 200,000 homes; Facebook ads reached over 1.1 million people, with 1,008,970 non-followers. Last year's event booked 40 rooms for musicians alone, with attendees from Texas, Albuquerque, Denver, Oklahoma, and Arizona. The board noted the festival could return for additional funding later.
- Chamber of Commerce – Community Profile Membership Directory (Kim): Requested $10,000 for printing 10,000 directories annually, used to welcome newcomers and promote Clovis. Noted recent newcomer packets: 80 last week, 75 the week before.
- Professional Armed Forces Rodeo Association World Finals (Casey Messick): Requested $21,800 for the 25th anniversary rodeo on October dates (Thursday-Saturday). Expected ~300 room nights from contestants, families, and supporters. Funds would go toward trophy buckles and jackets. Event will include an awards ceremony with a local band at the new pavilion. Board discussed lessons from last year's lower attendance due to proximity to the fair; moved date back to October.
Key Outcomes
- Allocation Vote: After discussion, the board proposed and voted on the following allocations (motion by Tasha Padilla, seconded by Freddie; carried unanimously):
- New Mexico Road Association: $15,000
- New Mexico Cup LLC: $20,000 (board member Freddie suggested moving $5,000 from the Community Profile to increase the cup fund; final allocation accepted)
- Clovis Music Festival: $20,000 (with caveat to return in April for additional funding if needed)
- Chamber of Commerce Community Profile: $5,000
- Professional Armed Forces Rodeo Association: $15,000
- Total: $75,000 (leaving $154,000 for the remainder of the fiscal year)
- Next Steps: The City Commission will give final approval on September 11, 2025. The next Lodger's Tax Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for November 18, 2025 (moved from November 11 due to Veterans Day), with applications due November 12.
Meeting Transcript
One minute. They're ready. All right. First person on the agenda. Good evening. It is five thirty on the dot on September ninth. We will call the City of Clovis Lodgers tax. Meeting to order. Uh we'll start with roll roll call. Can you mute, please? Good evening. It is five thirty on the dot on September ninth. We'll call the City of Clovis Lodgers tax. You know when you hear your voice? Thomas Martin. Here. Brady Bryant? Here. Commissioner Garza? Here. Tasha Padilla? Here. Millie Perthener? Here. Jonathan Nelson. We heard Jonathan's running a little late. Yeah, he said he's on his way. Um next, approval of minutes from the last meeting, which was July eighth. Are there any corrections to the minutes? I'll make a motion to accept them. Tasha with a second. All in favor? All opposed. The motion carries. Justin, if you can hear us, we're we've got some audio issues. We're gonna fix them real quick. Yes, sir. Justin, if you can hear us, we're we've got some audio issues. We're gonna fix them real quick. Yeah. Hey, right on time. We're having some audio issues. Yeah, he'll repeat himself. We have a new system. You never know until you go lies or something. We'd rather it be tonight. Thanks. So thank y'all for yeah, yeah. No worries. I think the question is is it gonna be fixed tonight?
openpublica.com