Branson Tourism Tax Reaches Record High in Fiscal 08

The City of Branson's Tourism Tax peaked to new heights in fiscal 2008. The chart above depicts the history of the tourism tax, not to be confused with the regional tourism tax that extends to Silver Dollar City. 

The Branson Tourism Tax reflects revenue derived by the city of Branson proper as opposed to the TCED tax entity voters approved of over two years ago.

The Branson Tourism Tax is controlled by the City of Branson Alderman and trickled in nearly $800,000 more than projected by government officials at at the beginning of fiscal 2008. Analyst forecasted $11,422,027 in Tourism Tax Income to the city of Branson while actual income from the tourism tax totaled $12,620,239. Branson's fiscal 2008 Tourism Tax Totals reflect record city income from the tax from Branson hotels, restaurants and attractions and a 5.8% increase over last year.

(by Darin Codon)

***Edit: 8 not 10 year history

Branson Tourism Revenue Increased - Silver Dollar City 3rd Quarter Earnings Down

The three charts above are part of a presentation generated by the Branson Chamber of Commerce. Local televised news reports focused on the last image which shows Branson tourism is on the decline. KSPR reported, "The Branson area experienced a slight decrease in Tourism...".

On its own, the report would indicate Branson's current administration is acting with integrity when it claims income has decreased provided an excuse for the fiscal irresponsibility of the Raeanne Presley administration. Branson revenue is at an all time high - so is new spending - just not in areas that provide increased economic opportunity.

The dishonest press releases play off the national economic downturn. Many of Branson's businesses are sufferering and none more than the Branson Shows which are in a pickle as tourists tastes have shifted leaving the theater industry in stagnation several years running.

As you can see from the top image Taney County Tax revnue has increased but Stone County revenue has substantially decreased. The 4.8 percent decrease in the Stone County economy reflects Silver Dollar City's 3rd Quarter downturn. The theme park sits in Stone County and accounts for over 70% of Stone County revenue.

Branson Chamber of Commerce to win huge powergrab

Last week I ventured into the Downtown Branson Main Street Association (DBMA) a psuedo-political government entity that was well funded through co-op programs until a move last week by the state stripping funds from both the DBMA and the Branson Veteran's Taskforce.
According to White River Valley Historical Society (WRVHS) Tax Lobbyist Donna Clevenger :

Taney and Stone county commissioners have until Nov. 1 to appoint a
destination marketing organization to administer tourism dollars if
they want the matching tourism funds from the state.

The change in the co-op program of the Missouri Division of Tourism
requires that the three organizations currently receiving state
tourism money cease operations and that those entities will no longer
be able to receive the matching reimbursement funds from the program.

According to the executive director of the Missouri Division of
Tourism, Blaine Leutkemeyer, the change will better use marketing
dollars from the state and eliminate the overlap of multiple groups
marketing spending money to market to the same advertising areas.

The total state funds available for the co-op program is $3,450,000
for the fiscal year of 2008.

The following year will have $3.8 million. Luetkemeyer said his office
is committed to help grow the program and he wanted to clarify at the
meeting that the program is not a grant. Whichever organization is
appointed by the county commissioners will use tax dollars generated
in Taney County, spend those dollars on promotions and advertisement,
then send documentation to the MDT for a 50 percent reimbursement.

Citizen reports confirm Ozark Mountain Newspaper Political Pundit and News Correspondent Gary Groman aka Ole Seagull attended the meeting. According to Clevenger the Branson Chamber of Commerce is the only entity that qualifies.

--------------
Can someone tell me what happened here?