The city and county’s tourism organization ended its 2014 fiscal year with a $11,468 profit despite receiving less than it budgeted.
Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau accountant Tom Buckley of T.E. Lott reported to the board during its meeting Monday that city and county tax receipts totaled $1,633,992 from October 2013 to September 2014, nearly $30,000 short of the projected $1,663,388 for the previous fiscal year. But three line items in the budget projected more expenses than what actually were realized, allowing for the $11,468 net income.
Line of credit expenses were much lower than what was projected when the budget was set last year. They totaled $24,604 compared to the estimated $80,000. The CVB also didn’t spend as much on recreation as board members approved it to do before. There was $144,442 in the budget for special projects, only $117,336 of which was spent.
Salary expenses for CVB staff were also down from the $243,087 budgeted. They totaled $221,176.
“It just means we worked harder for less,” said CVB Executive Director Nancy Carpenter.
The CVB is making monthly payments to knock down debt it owes for its share the Old Highway 82 Bridge construction costs as well as its office.
Before the meeting, Thomas “Tango” Moore was sworn in as the newest CVB board member. He was appointed by Columbus Mayor Robert Smith and Lowndes County Board of Supervisors President Harry Sanders.
Board members Brock Reynolds and Bernard Buckhalter were absent from Monday’s meeting.
In other business:
■ Carpenter reminded board members of this weekend’s Coaches Cup youth soccer tournament. She said the city is set to welcome 1,500 people affiliated with the event;
■ Carpenter told board members that the Decorative Arts and Preservation Forum and Antiques Show and Sale will begin October 30;
■ The board approved to change its January 2015 meeting date from the 19th to the 26th.
Nathan Gregory covers city and county government for The Dispatch.
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