(A) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to authorize the use of the city’s General Fund to promote economic development and tourism within the city, pursuant to I.C. 36-1-3 and I.C. 36-7-2-7.
(B) Authorization. The Common Council hereby authorizes the budgeting and appropriation of funds from the General Fund to pay the expense of or to reimburse city officials for expenses incurred in promoting the best interests of the city.
(C) Expenses. Expenses incurred in promoting the best interests of the city may include, but are not necessarily limited to, rental of meeting places, meals, decorations, memorabilia, awards, expenses incurred in promoting industrial, commercial and residential development, expenses incurred in developing relations with other units of government, expenses related to community promotion, community events and festivals, expenses related to the recognition of individuals or organizations for their community service, and any other expenses of a civic or governmental nature deemed by the Mayor or Common Council to be in the best interests of the city.
(D) Budgeting of funds. From year to year, Common Council may budget and appropriate city general funds to pay expenses set forth above incurred in the promotion of economic development and tourism within the city. Such budget and appropriation shall be identified in the city’s annual budget and shall be included in either the Mayor’s budget or Common Council’s budget, or in both.
(E) Approval of use of budgeted funds. The Mayor may recommend payment of expenses incurred or to be incurred in the promotion of economic development and tourism within the city from funds budgeted and appropriated, whether within the Mayor’s budget or Common Council’s budget, subject to Common Council approval of submitted claims for payment or reimbursement.
(Ord. 2015-14, passed 10-20-2015)