In April, the Mexico City Council awarded approximately $28,980 in tourism tax funds to multiple community organizations.

Reimbursement funds for advertising costs related to community events are supported by the city’s tourism fund, which is funded by the tourism tax collected from hotels and motels in the area.

Before requests for funding make it to the Mexico City Council, they must first be heard by the Mexico Tourism Commission. The Tourism Commission has the option to recommend alternative amounts before they are presented to the Mexico City Council for approval.

Back in February, the city council members rejected multiple recommendations made by the Tourism Commission that cut requested funding by more than 50% despite the fact that adequate funds were available.

“I think we’ve got some funds available to do that, and I think we don’t need to nickel and dime these like this, and I think we may end up with some better events,” Bruce Slagle, city manager, said in the Feb. 9 meeting.

Regardless of the requested amount, organizations are only reimbursed up to their approved amount, and if they come under budget, the money stays in the fund.

At the March 24 Mexico Tourism Commission meeting, Vicki Duenke, City of Mexico finance director, reported the Tourism Fund’s balance was $253,029.

The city council approved all of the requests as recommended by the Mexico Tourism Commission in April. Requested and recommended amounts are as follows:

• Paul & Theresa Ridgway requested $1,500 for Summit Events. The tourism commission recommended the full amount.
• Simmons’ Stable Preservation Fund, Inc. requested $655 for the International Saddlebred Hall of Fame Ceremony. The Tourism Commission recommended the full amount.
• Mexico Lions Club requested $1,600 for the Noon Lion’s 4th of July firework display, but the Tourism Commission recommended $1,400.
• The Central Missouri Veteran’s Monument Foundation requested $3,965 for the 4K for Our Warriors, but the Tourism Commission recommended $1,500. Duenke said a portion of their requested funds was for t-shirts, which does not fall under the terms of the Tourism Fund.
• Girl’s Night Out Relay For Life Team requested $1,500 for its Jake Clayton Show. The Tourism Commission recommended the full amount.
• Mexico Jaycees Inc requested $5,500 for the Mexico Jaycees Soybean Festival. The Tourism Commission recommended the full amount.
• The City of Mexico’s participation in the Missouri Life publication is also supported through the Tourism Fund. The Tourism Commission recommended the full $16,925 that was requested.

The City of Mexico will also continue its partnerships with Presser Arts Center and the Optimist Club of Mexico.

Council members approved a contribution of $10,000 to Presser Arts Center to assist in providing programs and activities to community members. The city has been providing the same level of assistance since 2002.

The council also approved a contribution of $7,500 to the Optimist Club in Mexico to assist in the offset of operational costs. Since 2009, funding for the Optimist Club of Mexico has been based on requests by the club to provide scholarships for youth participation in summer and fall activities.