The South Jacksonville Village Board tabled a resolution on tourism grants Thursday night.
The board was taking action on a request for a $25,000 tourism grant for the Prairieland Heritage Museum’s annual steam show event.
The grant application was submitted earlier this month by Prairieland board members, whose board has recently taken a closer look at tourism grant funding, asking groups to provide receipts before being reimbursed and to be more detailed on their applications rather than handing over money unconditionally to various events.
Village Mayor Dick Samples said the tourism subsidy ordinance needs to be more clearly worded about what the village can and can’t compensate groups. “We need a little more definition as to how this money can be legally spent, what it can be spent on. We need some direction on that. The issue is, I’ve asked the village board to [Village Attorney] Rob [Cross]and said it should be used to promote tourism and accommodation. [South] “The budget that you put on the application and the specifics about how that budget will be spent has absolutely nothing to do with tourism or promoting the village of South Jacksonville or putting your head on a bed.”
Samples said there’s no debate that the Steam Show is the largest annual event the village participates in. “I don’t think there’s any debate. It’s the largest event in South Jacksonville. We might bring in 7,000 to 10,000 people over three days. Not many people stay in the hotels, but we get them to spend money at local gas stations, restaurants and so on.”
Sample said he would like to hear some ideas from village attorney Rob Cross and present them before voting at the next meeting. Village trustees also agreed that Prairieland board members and Trustee Paula Beloblazic Stewart should be in attendance to further discuss and act on the matter. Both were absent from Thursday night’s meeting. The next South Jacksonville board meeting is scheduled for July 11 at 7 p.m.
