What about the Visitor's Bureau?
In Friday's edition of the OVN, in an article entitled "Ojai revenues still climbing," it was stated that for the fiscal year, the City of Ojai will have a surplus of $675,000 on $7.5 million in revenue. So while the city manager made it a priority to build up city reserves, which he has done, he also opened up the coffers and has been willing to spend on a few things. Let's take a look.
The City Manager introduced the following expenses:
$86,400 for an associate city planner
$65,400 for a second "office specialist" or administrative assistant for himself
$15,000 adjustment to planned expenses for immediate hardware upgrades
$133,000 set aside for software purchases in the future
I'll let the need for two assistants speak for itself.
Regarding the adjustment to planned expenses for hardware upgrades, what sort of planning is occuring when a small office needs $15,000 in additional hardware? The cost of hardware, such as computers, monitors, networking, phone systems, etc., drops over time. A $1000 computer today is twice as fast as a $2000 computer two years ago.
Regarding $133,000 for "future software purchases," perhaps it's some advanced CAD software for planning and traffic. I'd like to see from the City what that expense is actually for. Since its for a future purchase, perhaps that line item can be re-evaluated.
Here's the thing - where is the $50,000 reinstating the Ojai Visitor's Bureau funding?
In June of 2005, the City Council elected to kill the funding for the Visitor's Bureau. The City was in dire financial straits, and the Council was forced to make some difficult budgetary decisions. Eliminating Visitor's Bureau funding was not a decision I agreed with in the slightest, but I understood the necessity at the time to make some unpopular decisions.
So now that we are on a better path, and we are budgeting far in excess of $50,000 for new second assistants and future software purchases, how can we ignore our most important industry? It is absurd that a city that gets up to 33% of its revenue from TOT (the hotel bed tax) can't spend 2% of that revenue on a Visitor's Bureau.
What do you think? Is it a smart business decision to reinstate the funding for the Visitor's Bureau or not?
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Comments (6)
I'm glad to see these issues raised. At the council meeting Tuesday, I questioned our financial priorities. I certainly support a visitor's center, since serving tourists is part of Ojai's mission, IF she can preserve her small town character, and therefore have something to serve. I questioned the need for another level of bureaurocracy, when our street and people infrastructure is cracking up. Getting a meaningful conversation going at city hall is like talking to the proverbial wall, so it refreshing to see something started here. I think we've got to follow the money to get a handle on what is really happening in city hall.
I also said at the council meeting that we should hold our reserves at where they are and invest in saving our roads. You can imagine with what enthusiasm that was received, what with the connections to bankers, and all. What does a city maintenance person make? Half of the new position? If the new associate city planner makes $85,000, what does a planner with several years seniority make? Where are our priorities? Anyway, this is good food for thought. Thanks.
Comment #1 Posted by: Dennis Leary | November 18, 2006 11:03 AM
And with the Ojai Valley Inn's recent award of the coveted 5 Diamonds from AAA (article on OVN's front page), that bed tax line item has nowhere to go but up!
Comment #2 Posted by: Lisa Snider | November 18, 2006 01:51 PM
Yeah, exactly, Lisa - as tourism revenue increases, then reinvest to ensure the long-term growth of the industry. It was SO short-sighted to eliminate the Visitor's Bureau funding.
My informed opinion is that the decision was as much political as it was financial, and unfortunately the local businesses and the city's long-term outlook are what suffer.
Comment #3 Posted by: Tyler | November 18, 2006 02:12 PM
Stay on it Tyler ! I can't believe the majority of the voters can't see this !
BC
Comment #4 Posted by: Brian | November 18, 2006 06:10 PM
Tyler:
So glad you are focusing attention on this. I was absolutely dumbfounded to read about the request for these new salary expenditures. If the City wants to avoid looking like a den of ....fools, they had better get their priorities for this town in order! I agree - stay on it!!
Comment #5 Posted by: Long Time Ojai Resident | November 20, 2006 07:15 AM
Yes! Let's get a visitor's bureau back! This is essential if the City of Ojai wants to stay in the black. Hope that the City will sort this out soon.
Comment #6 Posted by: KH | April 3, 2007 10:55 PM