Title
Approving an amendment to the Special Events Policy to incorporate provisions for a Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Fund Tourism Subsidy Program and Application.
Summary
In December 2022, City Council adopted a Special Events Policy to ensure all permitted programs and events, involving City resources (i.e. personnel, parkland, right-of-way, equipment) adhered to the city’s standards and best practices to ensure a safe and organized event. The policy outlines the provisions for security, safety and emergency medical services, legal and insurance requirements, clean up responsibility, site requirements, cancellation, subsidy opportunities and special provisions. As the requests for special events continues to grow, so do the requests for funding support by event organizers. The amended policy proposes provisions that outline the process to request an event subsidy from the City with the creation of a Tourism Subsidy Program and related application.
The City of Pflugerville FY 25 budget includes $25,000 allocated for special event support via Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Funds. The proposed Tourism Subsidy Program and Application outlines a procedure for the allocation of HOT funds in support of community events that support tourism and hotel use. The program outlines how the City may provide in-kind support to events and activities which increase tourism. Further, this program increases awareness of the tourism opportunities available in Pflugerville.
Section 16 of the Special Events Policy states requests for City subsidy of an event that serves Pflugerville’s diverse population in a community-oriented environment may be considered on a case-by-case basis by a HOT fund Tourism Subsidy Review Committee. The Committee, comprised of city tourism staff, parks and recreation representatives and representatives from the hotel and tourism industry, may consider providing a subsidy for an event up to the amount established in the annual budget.
With the addit...
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