The Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau board will review its finances and vote on upcoming festivals Monday at a retreat.
The board retreat, which is open to the public, runs from 8 a.m. to about 2:45 p.m. at the new Fairfield Inn.
After breakfast, the board will enter its regular meeting at about 8:30 a.m. and will vote to fund several festivals, including Juneteenth, Caledonia Days and Croppy USA.
The board is also expected to clean up and streamline the process by deciding festival funding criteria.
Funding for festivals has tripled since 2005, when the CVB gave out $33,725 in five local grants. In 2010, the board awarded $101,000 in 12 grants, with the largest, $20,000 grant going to the Tennessee Williams Tribute.
At the retreat Monday, board members will also discuss marketing strategies from about 9 a.m. to 10:40 a.m., and their budget from 10:40 a.m. to noon.
The board”s budget is recovering now from several recent strains, including a move to a new, $753,637 office space at the intersection of Third and College streets.
The board only had about $15,000 available in June, board members said then.
According to budget records, the CVB estimated it would bring in almost $1.39 million this fiscal year, but would only have $2,363 in net income, or income after expenses.
Another item that may be discussed is the search for a new board director.
Interim Executive Director Nancy Carpenter, who has been serving in the position since James Tsismanakis left for another job earlier this year, has expressed interest in the position.
With the board”s coffers still empty, a search could be delayed until more money becomes available.
After lunch Monday, the board will discuss other topics until 1:30 p.m., when Mississippi State University public policy expert Sumner Davis will outline laws that apply to the board.
Davis was called in after questions were raised about possible violations of open meetings laws and former board member David Sanders” law firm — Mitchell, McNutt and Sams — returned $17,320.50 in legal fees to the CVB for work he did while on the board.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 43 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.