(a) There is hereby established a Tourism Promotion Fund into which the City Finance Director shall, by the twentieth day of each month, place the proceeds resulting from the previous month's collection of this hotel tax. The moneys in this Fund shall be utilized for the purpose of promoting tourism, conventions, economic growth and hotel/motel overnight stays in the City and the Stephenson County area. (1977 Code §31-203(I); Ord. 90-4. Passed 2-5-90.)
(b) Any agreements to fund the activities of any organization or governmental agency for the promotion of tourism, conventions, special events and other attractions with the proceeds of the tax imposed in this chapter must be by separate written agreement, specifically, but not limited to, a separate agreement with the Greater Freeport Partnership, which includes, at a minimum, the following terms, and is to be separately approved by City Council:
(1) Upon presentation of a proper voucher, the Finance Director or his or her designee shall pay funds from the Tourism Promotion Fund to the Greater Freeport Partnership to use to promote tourism, conventions, economic growth and hotel/motel overnight stays in Freeport and Stephenson County, by activities including, but not limited to:
A. Publishing promotional material, such as a visitors’ guide;
B. Executing an advertising campaign promoting Freeport/Stephenson County and events and activities therein.
C. Exploring signage needs, particularly in conjunction with the by-pass.
D. Participating in regional and state-wide tourism organizations.
E. Working with group tour operators and meeting planners to encourage business in Freeport/Stephenson County.
F. Maintaining office facilities and staff to direct the promotional efforts.
G. Undertaking activities to encourage development of new tourism attractions, festivals, businesses, and other tourism products.
(c) Further, an amount not to exceed forty thousand dollars ($40,000) per year shall be paid out of the Tourism Promotion Fund by the City to the Greater Freeport Partnership to be utilized by the Greater Freeport Partnership towards amounts owed by the Greater Freeport Partnership to the Freeport/Stephenson County Visitors Center associated with the rental and use of the visitors' center by the Greater Freeport Partnership. Such forty thousand dollar ($40,000) amount may be utilized towards items, including, but not limited to, rent owed by the Greater Freeport Partnership for use of the visitors' center and payments towards the Freeport/Stephenson County Visitors Center's mortgage, real estate taxes, building insurance and annual preventative maintenance costs. Such amounts owed by the Greater Freeport Partnership to the Freeport/ Stephenson County Visitors Center shall be determined by a separate agreement between the Freeport/Stephenson County Visitors Center Board and the Greater Freeport Partnership.
The amount appropriated to support the efforts of the Greater Freeport Partnership shall be included in the City's annual appropriation ordinance. The Finance Director or his or her designee shall not transmit any funds to the Greater Freeport Partnership in excess of the amount appropriated without first obtaining approval of the corporate authorities.
(Ord. 97-21. Passed 7-21-97; Ord. 2004-52. Passed 9-7-04; Ord. 2018-31. Passed 6-18-18.)