By Guest Columnist Andy McDonald
The Berea Tourism Commission budgeted $200,000 for the repair of the Berea City Pool, part of a 2024-2025 spending plan that now goes onto the Berea City Council for final review.
Repair of the aging facility, which opened in 1993, will take begin after the upcoming summer season is completed, officials said.
Review of tourism’s annual budget took place at last Wednesday’s business meeting, at which point Berea City Councilman Jerry Little thanked the planning commissioners for committing the funds. Tourism has committed money to other tourism facilities in recent years, including spending for shared use trails, the Silver Creek Bike Park, walking paths and the Chestnut Street Pavilion.
The draft budget includes a projected $1.6 million in revenue for Fiscal Year 2024-2025, including approximately $200,000 in hotel transient room taxes and $1.3 million from the city’s restaurant tax, according to Business and Tourism Development Director Donna Angel. The remaining revenues are expected to come from intergovernmental grants and returns on investments.
Plans for purchasing a tourism trolley are still alive, since the tourism budget includes $210,000 for that potential purchase. In April the commission sought to amend the trolley line item in the 2023-2024 budget from $150,000 to $225,000, a proposal that was tabled after Berea City Councilman Steve Caudill requested more information about the cost/benefit of a trolley. The proposed cost of the trolley increased significantly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw skyrocketing labor and materials costs.
During last week’s meeting, Chairman Bill West said the commission may be able to make up the difference in the cost of buying a trolley through savings on other projects.
Next year’s budget, which takes effect on July 1, plans for approximately $800,000 for building and grounds maintenance, such as $35,000 for the exterior repair of the Berea Hotel, and $30,000 for the tiling of the back porch of the Berea Welcome Center, among other facility repairs. Purchases for the Berea Gallery and Events Center [the Tolle Building] include $200,000 for furnishings and wall art. That facility is in the final completion stage, and Angel said the city is already getting requests for private rentals.
Additionally, $800,000 is included for an update and refurbishing of signage throughout the city. Angel said the base of most of the signs are in good shape, however, tourism is planning signs with a new color scheme, shifting from burgundy and gold to ultramarine blue. Some banners bearing those colors have already been deployed along the North Broadway Street in Old Town.
The budget for advertising remains steady at $300,000 compared to recent years. Later in the meeting, Media Manager Becky Hurt presented a report showing a correlation between the amount tourism spends on advertising and the high level of activity that follows on social media, boosting Berea events and supporting local businesses.
Berea Tourism Commission Chair Bill West noted the budget is substantial, with the projected cost of signage being a concern for him.
“There are big items in here. There’s the trolley, there’s the signage,” West said, admitting the cost of the signage is surprising. “And there’s money spent on furniture, and the stuff for the Tolle Building. Then we’ve committed $200,000 for pool support.”
At the conclusion of Angel’s presentation, the commission unanimously approved the 2024-2025 tourism budget.
