fThe ACTC’s Executive Director Charles Field will close the presentations with a report on the traffic issues. The public will also be given a chance to speak. Also on the agenda tonight are the Measure E, or Transient Occupancy Tax funding recommendations. In November of 2002 the City of Jackson the tax increase which raised the tax from 8% to 10% on local lodging. The City also adopted a resolution declaring that the extra 2% of the funds collected would be used to promote tourism, business, economic development and downtown revitalization. A special advisory committee was developed to assist the City in determining the best usage of these funds. In 2006 the City allocated a total of $64,050 to different organizations including: Historic Jackson Business Association, Amador County of Chamber of Commerce, Amador Council of Tourism, and Main Street Theatre Works.

This year the Council has opted to do things differently and according to City Manager Mike Daly the Council has opted to reserve $30,000, of the $67,700 generated by Measure E in 2006, for the economic development needs of the City.  This year 6 organizations are vying for the remaining funds including two new ones, the Amador County Film Commission and Pitney Bowes-MapInfo. Daly states in a memo, “Again one of the key discussions regarding tourism services again focused on the tourism similarities between the Amador County Chamber of Commerce and the Amador Council of Tourism (ACT).” He added, “Though there have been strides taken between these two groups to work together and coordinate their efforts, it was noted that visitors guides are still produced independently by these two organizations and some other duplication of services exist.” The Committee decided that the Amador Council of Tourism “has developed a more comprehensive strategic plan for its tourism marketing of the area,” said Daly. Although the Chamber was recognized for its “referral services and liaison work with out-of-area information seekers”.

The committee is recommending  equal funding for the similar organizations. Under the Measure E funding recommendation Main Street Theatre works will be awarded $7,700. Their project, the outside amphitheatre, is an important attraction to the City of Jackson and the award will  finish the restrooms and other construction at the site. The Historic Jackson Business Association focuses on three major events: the Wine, Art and Music Festival, Heritage Days, and Christmas Delights. The funding for each events ranges between $6,000 and $13,700. The Committee recommended funding only the Wine, Art and Music Festival with $10,000 because the Committee felt it had the best chance of becoming self-sustaining.

The Amador County Film Commission office proposal of $15,000 is intended to implement and develop a “Film Amador” marketing campaign, explained Daly. The Committee recognized the potential value in the activities of the Commission, but due to limited funds chose to recommend $2,000. The final applicant who is also a new applicant, Pitney Bowes-Map Info is a firm that specializes in economic development analysis. Daly explains in a memo, “(The Company) conduct(s) custom research on individual retail markets to develop information on gaps in the local retail trade that could be approached for locating within the market area.” The base cost of the company’s proposal is $37,500, which includes $2,500 of travel time. The committee recommended that the Council discuss using the $30,000 set aside for the economic development activities.