News - pcgazette.com

News

$1.1 million in room tax spending proposed

The Stevens Point Long-Term Room Tax Committee unanimously recommended Wednesday night divvying out about $1.1 million in city room tax funds for a variety of projects over the next five years.

In most cases, the recommended commitment of funds would be matched by groups seeking assistance or by other partners. Room tax grants often serve as seed money to encourage participation by other entities, in some cases other units of government. The committee recommended several such arrangements Wednesday.

The funds are collected from a tax on city motel room occupants. They are used to enhance projects that improve quality of life and help draw tourist dollars to the community. The committee asked for proposals in December 1999. Its recommendations now go to the city Park Commission, Finance Committee and Common Council for approval.

The proposal that drew the most attention came from Portage County Youth on Ice and Portage County Youth Soccer, which seek to build a major soccer complex and indoor ice facility on the city's east side. The proposal raised questions about impact on Willett Arena revenues and committing funds to private groups, something that hasn't been done often in the past. The committee recommended contributing $100,000 to the project and setting aside another $150,000 that would be matched by other governmental units in the county. It also asked that the city look at the legal ramifications of asking that the funds be tied to property rights, should the venture go out of business in the future.

Two other proposals also represented shifts in previous grant patterns. The committee recommended a $100,000 grant for securing easements or purchases of lands for the Green Circle, a greenbelt that rings the metropolitan area. It also challenged other governmental bodies by setting aside $50,000 as matching money. The committee's funding proposal might result in the city buying land or easements outside the city limits, but the committee said the Green Circle project merits city participation and benefits city residents regardless of municipal boundaries.

A similar philosophy justified recommending $100,000 in matching funds to help secure conservation easements or land purchases along the Plover River corridor. The official statement read, "While we recognize that much of the Plover River corridor is outside city limits, we recognize the importance of protecting these unique lands and the quality of water which flows to and through our community."

The Iverson Park warming lodge, which has served winter sports enthusiasts for years, would get a major upgrade if the $160,000 recommendation is adopted. The facility would be expanded and would serve as a four-season rental lodge for the city.

Some other familiar landmarks would also get improvements if the recommendations are adopted.

The city was asked to set aside $50,000 to help upgrade and add to the bandshell at Pfiffner-Pioneer Park.

The list of other approved projects includes $32,000 for helping to renovate the historic Engine 2713 near the Business 51 underpass on the city's south site.

Funds of $49,000 were recommended to help complete the final exhibit at the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame Museum at Schmeeckle Reserve.

A grant of $40,000 was recommend to help acquire Moses Creek watershed land contiguous to Schmeeckle Reserve. Up to 35 acres of land is sought. It's the last piece of open land contiguous to the reserve.

The committee also recommended spending $70,000 to establish a gazebo and Green Circle trailhead at Business 51 and NorthPoint Drive to help orient visitors to Schmeeckle Reserve, the Green Circle and the Conservation Hall of Fame.

The growth of women's hockey was recognized with a $48,000 grant to help fund 40 percent of the cost of new locker space at Willett Arena for women's hockey.

McDill Pond would get a second weed harvester if the recommended $75,000 expenditure is approved. This would help enhance weed control efforts, especially if one machine breaks down.

The committee delayed spending another $140,000 in projected revenues in order to assess initiatives like a county urban park that could develop later.

Any funds committed would accrue over a five-year period, requiring some staging of disbursements based on need.



	$1.1 million in room tax spending proposed The Stevens Point Long-Term Room Tax Committee unanimously recommended Wednesday night divvying out about $1.1 million in city room tax funds for a variety of projects over the next five years. In most cases, the recommended commitment of funds would be matched by groups seeking assistance or by other partners. Room tax grants often serve as seed money to encourage participation by other entities, in some cases other units of government. The committee recommended several such arrangements Wednesday. The funds are collected from a tax on city motel room occupants. They are used to enhance projects that improve quality of life and help draw tourist dollars to the community. The committee asked for proposals in December 1999. Its recommendations now go to the city Park Commission, Finance Committee and Common Council for approval. The proposal that drew the most attention came from Portage County Youth on Ice and Portage County Youth Soccer, which seek to build a major soccer complex and indoor ice facility on the city's east side. The proposal raised questions about impact on Willett Arena revenues and committing funds to private groups, something that hasn't been done often in the past. The committee recommended contributing $100,000 to the project and setting aside another $150,000 that would be matched by other governmental units in the county. It also asked that the city look at the legal ramifications of asking that the funds be tied to property rights, should the venture go out of business in the future. Two other proposals also represented shifts in previous grant patterns. The committee recommended a $100,000 grant for securing easements or purchases of lands for the Green Circle, a greenbelt that rings the metropolitan area. It also challenged other governmental bodies by setting aside $50,000 as matching money. The committee's funding proposal might result in the city buying land or easements outside the city limits, but the committee said the Green Circle project merits city participation and benefits city residents regardless of municipal boundaries. A similar philosophy justified recommending $100,000 in matching funds to help secure conservation easements or land purchases along the Plover River corridor. The official statement read, "While we recognize that much of the Plover River corridor is outside city limits, we recognize the importance of protecting these unique lands and the quality of water which flows to and through our community." The Iverson Park warming lodge, which has served winter sports enthusiasts for years, would get a major upgrade if the $160,000 recommendation is adopted. The facility would be expanded and would serve as a four-season rental lodge for the city. Some other familiar landmarks would also get improvements if the recommendations are adopted. The city was asked to set aside $50,000 to help upgrade and add to the bandshell at Pfiffner-Pioneer Park. The list of other approved projects includes $32,000 for helping to renovate the historic Engine 2713 near the Business 51 underpass on the city's south site. Funds of $49,000 were recommended to help complete the final exhibit at the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame Museum at Schmeeckle Reserve. A grant of $40,000 was recommend to help acquire Moses Creek watershed land contiguous to Schmeeckle Reserve. Up to 35 acres of land is sought. It's the last piece of open land contiguous to the reserve. The committee also recommended spending $70,000 to establish a gazebo and Green Circle trailhead at Business 51 and NorthPoint Drive to help orient visitors to Schmeeckle Reserve, the Green Circle and the Conservation Hall of Fame. The growth of women's hockey was recognized with a $48,000 grant to help fund 40 percent of the cost of new locker space at Willett Arena for women's hockey. McDill Pond would get a second weed harvester if the recommended $75,000 expenditure is approved. This would help enhance weed control efforts, especially if one machine breaks down. The committee delayed spending another $140,000 in projected revenues in order to assess initiatives like a county urban park that could develop later. Any funds committed would accrue over a five-year period, requiring some staging of disbursements based on need.