BCTF still waiting for its contract with city

Talk about it

With no contract to discuss at Friday’s monthly meeting, the Buffalo City Tourism Foundation discussed the proposed changes to its agreement with the city of Jamestown.

The City Council’s proposal essentially would eliminate $75,000 the Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corp. annually gives for tourism promotion. The proposed contract BCTF was reading from was transcribed by an employee after watching the meeting on the CSi Replay Channel.

“It’s extremely frustrating we’ve been at it for a year now and we’re still struggling to get a contract,” said Dave Smette, BCTF president.

Mayor Katie Andersen said the proposed change would make BCTF more independent by forcing them to find additional revenue streams. One such source of potential revenue would be a flat admission fee to visit all of Jamestown’s tourist sites.

Smette called the proposed changes “micromanaging” by the city.

“The City Council has never followed through on our request that we sit down and talk this through,” he said.

Smette said the grants the BCTF awards throughout the year are well managed and go to causes that help promote tourism.

As an example BCTF awarded $150,000 in grants in 2012, of which all but 30 cents has been handed out.

Alden Kollman, BCTF president elect, said public opinion as expressed on areavoices.com has been largely against charging a flat fee to visit all sites.

“You’re going to be exploring other things for future planning anyways,” Andersen said. “Things change a lot.”

Andersen said at Tuesday’s City Council meeting it was possible for BCTF to ask for an extension on its current contract.

Sun reporter Ben Rodgers can be reached at 701-952-8455 or by email at brodgers@jamestownsun.com

Tags: local news, news, tourism