Transient Lodging Tax Committee Minutes
Special Meeting
January 4, 2024
Baker County Commission Chambers
Tyler called the meeting to order at 9:00 am.
Members Present: Tyler Brown, Brian Vegter, Mandy Clark, Chelsea Blatchford, and Matthew Koppenhaver
Guests Present: Jessica Hobson, and Shelly Christensen
Approve Agenda: Mandy moved to approve the agenda. Matthew seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Visitor Services RFP Proposals
Baker County received one response to the Request for Proposal for Visitor Services from Baker County Unlimited. The Committee scored the Baker County Unlimited proposal as follows:
Cover Letter (5 points)
Introductory Statement and Proposed Plan of Execution (21 points)
The Committee felt the statement did not specifically address a plan of execution, instead stated what services the Center currently provides. October through April hours of operation were discussed.
Location (15 points)
The Committee noted, at present, there is no bike rack or access from the newly installed sidewalk to the Center.
Staff (14 points)
The Committee agreed that BCU does an excellent job collecting data regarding visitors. However, there was a discrepancy in their Proposal around hours of operation for the months of October – April (see page 9).
Timeline for Deliver (10 points)
Budget (7 points)
There was discussion around the presumption of a 3.2% cost of living increase each subsequent year and an added benefits expenditure line. Tyler suggested more discussion on this topic after scoring.
Performance Measure and Reporting Requirements (10 points)
Tyler directed the Committee to BCU’s monthly report.
References (5 points)
Conclusion (5 points)
Total proposal score: 92
Budget Discussion
Tyler suggested in future Request for Proposals there be more clarity of the budget topic and more emphasis on marketing the Center.
The Committee agreed with the current fiscal year budget but would like more detail for subsequent fiscal years, specifically the line-item titled Benefits. They agreed the budget should not reflect a cost of living increase rather a dollar amount increase based on cost of providing services.
Brian moved to recommend a realistic cost of living wage increase per year and an anticipated new budget of round numbers. Brian moved to recommend approving the numbers presented for the current fiscal year and consideration be made each following year. Mandy seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Chelsea moved to recommend that the Baker County Commissioners accept the proposal from Baker County Unlimited as our contractor for the Baker County Visitor Center. Matthew seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 10:16 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted: Shelly Christensen