Jun 09, 2026 Abilene-Taylor County Events Venue District

[00:00:01]

OKAY, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT'S FOUR MINUTES AFTER TWO ON THIS TUESDAY AFTERNOON.

[ CALL TO ORDER]

AND ON THIS 9TH OF JUNE CALLING THIS MEETING TO ORDER, WE WILL NOW MOVE TO OUR PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

HAS ANYONE SIGNED A CARD OR COME FORWARD TO ADDRESS ANY ISSUES WITH THIS? NO, I DO NOT HAVE ANY. OKAY. THEN WE WILL CLOSE OUR PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

AND SINCE THERE IS NO ONE HERE WITH ANY COMMENTS, WE WON'T TAKE ANY ACTION.

SO WITH THAT TO BE SAID, WE'LL NOW MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER TWO, THE APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM AUGUST THE 25TH 2025.

[2. Minutes: Approval of the Minutes from the Regular Meeting Held on August 25, 2025]

IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM JUDGE CROWLEY AND A SECOND FROM A COW.

AND SO, ALL IN FAVOR? WHAT TO CALL ME? WELL, I DON'T WANT TO CALL YOU WHAT I USED TO WHEN WE WORKED TOGETHER.

SO LET'S JUST. WE'LL JUST LEAVE IT AT KYLE. I'M GOING TO LEAVE THAT BROTHER MCALLISTER.

BUT ANYWAY, WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND. AND IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

WE'LL NOW MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER THREE. THE ELECTION OF BOARD OFFICERS AND THE TERMS OF OFFICE ARE ONE YEAR WITH THE RIGHT OF AN OFFICER TO BE

[3. Election of board officers ]

ARE THERE ANY OTHER NOMINATIONS? IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM CAL MCCALLISTER AND A SECOND FROM JUDGE CROWLEY FOR THE ELECTION OF CHUCK STATLER TO BE PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF THIS BOARD. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSITION? OKAY. NOW, I WOULD ASK FOR NOMINATIONS FROM THE BOARD FOR THE POSITION OF VICE PRESIDENT.

AND WE'LL OPEN THE FLOOR TO NOMINATIONS FOR VICE PRESIDENT AT THIS TIME.

I NOMINATE COUNCILMAN ESPINOZA TO REMAIN VICE PRESIDENT.

SO WE HAVE A NOMINATION OF COUNCILMAN ESPINOZA.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER NOMINATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF VICE PRESIDENT OF OUR BOARD? I'LL SECOND THAT NOMINATION. SO WITH THAT, WE'LL CLOSE NOMINATIONS AND I WILL CALL FOR THE VOTE.

ALL IN FAVOR OF COUNCILMAN ESPINOSA SERVING AS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF OUR BOARD.

SAY AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSITION? AND SO CONGRATULATIONS.

AND YOU STILL GET PAID MORE FOR THE DOLLAR A YEAR BEING ON THE CITY COUNCIL.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NOW FOR THE POSITION OF SECRETARY OF OUR BOARD.

WE'LL OPEN UP NOMINATIONS FOR THAT POSITION. ANYONE CHOOSING TO NOMINATE A MEMBER OF THIS BOARD TO SERVE AS THE BOARD SECRETARY? I WOULD GLADLY NOMINATE JUDGE BILL CROWLEY TO REMAIN SECRETARY.

IS THERE A SECOND? I WILL SECOND THAT. ALL RIGHT.

YOU'LL THINK ABOUT THAT. I KNOW. OH, I THOUGHT YOU WERE THINKING ABOUT SECONDING THE MOTION.

SO ANYWAY, WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND. BUT COUNCILMAN ESPINOSA IS SAYING.

YEAH, SO I WILL CLOSE THE NOMINATIONS IF NO ONE ELSE HAS ONE FROM THE FLOOR.

SO ALL IN FAVOR OF SELECTING AGAIN, JUDGE PHIL CROWLEY TO BE OUR SECRETARY, SAY I, I ANYONE OPPOSED SAY NAY. AND FINALLY, TREASURER, ANY NOMINATIONS FROM THE MEMBERS OF THIS BOARD TO GO AHEAD AND NOMINATE OUR TREASURER. I NOMINATE MISS SHAY HALL TO REMAIN TREASURER.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A NOMINATION FOR SHAY HALL THAT HAS.

THE MOTION HAS BEEN PLACED AND THERE'S A SECOND IN PLACE.

ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE. AND ANY OPPOSED? WELL, EVERYBODY, LET'S MOVE FORWARD, SHALL WE?

[00:05:01]

GO AHEAD, MISS KNIGHT. BEFORE YOU IS THE AUDIT REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30TH,

[4. Acceptance of the Annual Audit Report for the Year Ending September 30, 2025]

THE CITY'S AUDITORS FOR VIS HAVE PROVIDED AN UNQUALIFIED OR CLEAN OPINION ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

SO IF YOU WILL LOOK AT PAGE 20 OF YOUR PACKETS TO GET TO THE STATEMENT OF NET POSITION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING 2025, TOTAL ASSETS FOR THE VENUE DISTRICT ARE 430 000 AND LIABILITIES ARE APPROXIMATELY 378,000 AND NET POSITION IS AT $52,276. MOST OF THIS NET POSITION IS RESTRICTED FOR DEBT SERVICE.

SO IF WE WILL THEN MOVE TO PAGE 22 FOR THE STATEMENT OF REVENUES, EXPENSES AND CHANGES IN NET POSITION.

FOR 2025, OUR TOTAL HOTEL TAX REVENUES WERE APPROXIMATELY $1.84 MILLION.

FOR TOTAL REVENUES FOR THE FUND, WE WERE AT 1.847 MILLION.

TOTAL EXPENSES ARE 1.857 MILLION. THERE WAS A NET DEFICIT OR CHANGE IN NET POSITION OF A -$10,008.

THE REASON FOR THAT IS THE 12000 YOU SEE FOR FRONTIER TEXAS IMPROVEMENTS.

IT WAS JUST PAYING OUT THE REMAINDER OF THE BOND PROCEEDS IN 2025.

DOES THE BOARD HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS.

ALL RIGHT THEN. WE WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE ANNUAL AUDIT REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2025. IS THERE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

SO MOVED. MOTION BY MISS HALL AND A SECOND. SECOND AND SECOND BY MR. MCCALLISTER. IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION.

ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSITION? OKAY.

NOW. NUMBER FIVE. THANK YOU. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER FIVE, THE PRESENTATION OF PROGRAMS AND VENUE TAX USE.

[5. Presentation of Programs and Venue Tax Use

YOUR HANDS ARE FULL THIS WEEK. THANK YOU. THANK YOU TO THE VENUE BOARD AS WELL AS TO THE CITY STAFF THAT'S HERE.

WE APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT IN THE PAST FOR EVERYTHING THAT GOES ON AT THE EXPO CENTER.

WITH ME TODAY, I HAVE NANCY SMITH. SHE'S THE PRESIDENT OF THE EXPO CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS THROUGH OCTOBER.

AND THEN PROBABLY FOR ONE MORE YEAR AFTER THAT.

THE EXPO CENTER IS A 501 C THREE ORGANIZATION.

AND WE CONTRARY TO WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE BELIEVE, WE DON'T RECEIVE ANY OPERATING FUNDS FROM TAYLOR COUNTY.

WE ARE A SEPARATE ENTITY AND OPERATE ON OUR OWN.

ALONG WITH THE VENUE TAX THAT WE RECEIVE, WE ALSO RECEIVE 3% OF THE HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX FROM THE CITY OF ABILENE.

AND WE HAVE THREE MORE YEARS ON THAT CONTRACT.

WE'RE VERY THANKFUL THAT WE HAVE THESE FUNDS.

IT'S MADE A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE TO THE OPERATIONS OF THE EXPO CENTER.

AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, WE, WE WERE IN VERY BAD FINANCIAL SHAPE MANY YEARS AGO, AND THE VENUE TAX WAS THE ONLY THING THAT KEPT THE PLACE GOING FOR MANY, MANY YEARS. WE RECEIVED 50% OF OUR INCOME FROM THE WEST TEXAS FAIR AND RODEO AND THE WESTERN HERITAGE CLASSIC.

THE OTHER EVENTS THAT WE BRING IN, WE TYPICALLY ARE ON A BREAK EVEN ALTHOUGH THEY BRING A LOT OF REVENUE TO THE CITY VIA HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX OR SALES TAX. AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE THE EVENING FOR THE EXPO CENTER, WHICH IS A FUNDRAISER THAT WE HAVE IN FEBRUARY, AND THAT GENERATES ABOUT 10% OF OUR, OUR INCOME.

IN 2025, THE EXPO CENTER HAD 200 EVENTS. THAT'S DOWN ABOUT 25 EVENTS FROM 2024.

AND THE MAIN REASON FOR THAT IS, IS THAT WE'VE I'M GOING TO USE THE WORD GOTTEN RID OF, BUT WE NO LONGER HAVE SOME ONE DAY EVENTS THAT WE HAD HAD BECAUSE WE ARE ABLE TO GET IN A LOT OF EVENTS THAT ARE MULTI-DAY EVENTS, AND THEY'RE MORE PROFITABLE TO EVERYBODY THAN THE ONE DAY EVENTS.

[00:10:05]

AND SO WE'VE HAD NUMEROUS OF THOSE THAT THAT CANCEL, YOU KNOW, FOR THE, FOR THE YEAR OF 2025 AND THEN ON INTO THE YEAR OF 2026.

BUT WE FEEL THAT OUR DECISION WAS IN THIS FOR THE SAFETY OF EVERYBODY INVOLVED.

WE CURRENTLY EMPLOY 19 PEOPLE, WHICH IS FULL TIME PEOPLE, WHICH IS JUST ONE MORE THAN WE HAD LAST YEAR.

AND I WOULD DEFINITELY LIKE TO HIRE SOME MORE PEOPLE.

IT'S JUST FINDING SOMEBODY THAT'S WILLING TO DO THE TYPE OF WORK THAT THE EXPO CENTER REQUIRES.

WE DO HAVE APPROXIMATELY 200 PART TIME OR SEASONAL EMPLOYEES.

AND BY SEASONAL I MEAN RIGHT NOW DURING HIGH SCHOOL RODEO, I'VE PROBABLY GOT ABOUT 40 EXTRA PEOPLE ON THE PAYROLL RIGHT NOW.

AND IT'S JUST BECAUSE OF GATE SECURITY AND JANITORIAL AND SO FORTH.

OUR PAYROLL IN 2025 WAS $1.6 MILLION, WHICH INCLUDES OUR PAYROLL TAX, OUR HEALTH INSURANCE, AND WORKER'S COMPENSATION. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE HIRING OF SOME TEMPORARY SERVICES THROUGH SOME OF THE, YOU KNOW, THE COMPANIES HERE IN ABILENE TO HELP US WITH JANITORIAL AND MAINTENANCE OF THE FACILITY DURING OUR LARGER EVENTS.

AND I USE THOSE SINCE I'M NOT ABLE TO FIND SOME FULL TIME EMPLOYEES TO, TO COME ON BOARD.

ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS THAT WE WERE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH IN 2025 FOR THE STAFF OF THE EXPO CENTER WAS STARTING A SIMPLE IRA PROGRAMS FOR EACH OF THEM.

AND SO THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE EXPO CENTER REALLY NEEDED TO DO TO HAVE SOME RETENTION FOR OUR EMPLOYEES IN 2025, WE PAID $525,000 IN UTILITIES, $133,000 IN LIABILITY INSURANCE, $251,000 IN MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES AND REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE. AND TAYLOR COUNTY ALSO SPENDS ABOUT $150,000 AT THE FACILITY AND REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE.

THEY TAKE CARE OF THE ITEMS THAT ARE NOT DAMAGED BY EVENTS.

SO AIR CONDITIONING, YOU KNOW, PLUMBING, STUFF LIKE THAT.

YOU KNOW, THE FACILITY IN SOME AREAS IS VERY OLD.

SO WE'RE CONSTANTLY FINDING THINGS THAT NEED TO BE REPAIRED.

THE EXPO CENTER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAY TO DAY REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE THAT ARE BASED ON EVENTS THAT ARE HELD.

WE HAVE WE ARE RIGHT NOW IN OUR 37TH YEAR OF THE TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL RODEO FINALS.

AND WE HAVE THAT CONTRACT THROUGH 2030. AND AGAIN, AS YOU HEARD BEFORE THE MEETING STARTED, WE'VE GOT 670 SOME KIDS THERE, MOMS AND DADS AND GRANDMAS AND GRANDPAS AND SO FORTH.

AND SO IT DOES BRING A LOT OF PEOPLE INTO TOWN, AND THEY'RE HERE FOR ABOUT A TEN DAY PERIOD.

WE HOST THE. WE'VE HOSTED THE ABILENE SPECTACULAR CUTTING FOR 34 YEARS.

THAT HAPPENS IN JANUARY. THE ABILENE WINTER CIRCUIT CUTTING HAS BEEN HERE FOR 4044 YEARS.

THAT'S IN DECEMBER. AND THE ORIGINAL TEAM ROPING, WHICH WILL START AT THE END OF THIS MONTH AND RUN INTO JULY.

IT'S BEEN WITH US FOR 34 YEARS. THIS WILL ALSO BE OUR 16TH YEAR OF HOSTING THE YOUTH BULL RIDING FINALS.

IT DRAWS CHILDREN FROM ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AS WELL AS CANADA, BRAZIL AND AUSTRALIA.

WHEN WE HAVE THEM CONTRACTED THROUGH 2028, WE WILL HOST THE BIG COUNTRY QUARTER HORSE PUMPJACK CIRCUIT FOR THE SIXTH YEAR THIS SUMMER, AND BECAUSE OF THE MANY RENOVATIONS THAT WERE MADE AT THE EXPO CENTER FROM THE 2016 BOND ELECTION, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO GET A LOT OF NEW EVENTS IN THAT WE WOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO HOST BEFORE.

SO WE HOST THE SOUTH TEXAS REINED COW HORSE ASSOCIATION IN BOTH FEBRUARY AND NOVEMBER.

THOSE ARE FOUR DAY EVENTS. WE HAVE THE LONE STAR SHOOTOUT ROPING IN MARCH AND THAT'S A WHOLE WEEK.

THE TRAIL OF TURQUOISE LONGHORN SHOW, WHICH IS THREE DAYS IN APRIL.

THE TEXAN BARREL RACE, WHICH IS A NINE DAY EVENT IN OCTOBER, THE TEXAS GOLD BUCKLE FUTURITY, WHICH IS A FIVE DAY ROPING IN NOVEMBER. AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE THE THE STOCK HORSE OF TEXAS WITH US IN OCTOBER, WHICH IS A NINE DAY EVENT AS WELL. THIS YEAR, WE ADDED THE WILD CARD BARREL RACE IN APRIL AND IT'S A FOUR DAY EVENT AND THEY THEY PLAN TO CONTINUE ON WITH US. LAST YEAR I VISITED WITH YOU ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE WERE BIDDING ON THE NATIONAL JUNIOR BEEF MASTER SHOW FOR 2027, AND WE JUST SIGNED THAT CONTRACT. SO I'M THRILLED TO HAVE THOSE FOLKS IN NEXT WEEK, RIGHT AFTER HIGH SCHOOL RODEO, WE WILL HAVE THE NATIONAL JUNIOR SHORTHORN SHOW IN, AND THEY'RE EXPECTING APPROXIMATELY 900 HEAD OF CATTLE FROM ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

AND SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TEAR DOWN ALL THE STALLS AND GET CATTLE TIES UP AND DO, YOU KNOW,

[00:15:03]

WE'VE ALSO ADDED SEVERAL NEW EVENTS TO THE COLISEUM.

UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S NOT CONCERTS, BUT WE'VE HAD SEVERAL CONVENTIONS THAT JEHOVAH WITNESSES HAVE HELD SEVERAL THERE.

WE CONTINUE TO HOST THE BOYS POWERLIFTING FINALS.

WE'VE HAD SOME SMALL CRAFT SHOWS AND SO FORTH IN THAT BUILDING.

AND SO WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON THE RENTAL OF THE COLISEUM.

THIS YEAR WILL BE OUR FOURTH YEAR TO HAVE BEEN CHOSEN BY THE PRCA TO HAVE OUR RODEO.

THAT'S IN SEPTEMBER. TELEVISED ON THE COWBOY CHANNEL PLUS.

AND SO THAT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT THING. NOT NOT ALL RODEOS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES HAVE THAT HONOR.

AND SO FOR ABILENE TO HAVE THAT IS REALLY A COUP.

AND THAT'S WHERE A LOT OF THE BUSINESS THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED HAS SEEN US, THEY'VE SEEN THE FACILITY ON THE PRCA RODEO OR AS IT'S RIGHT NOW BEING TELEVISED, THE HIGH SCHOOL RODEOS ON COWBOY PLUS.

AND SO PEOPLE SEE THE FACILITY THERE AND DECIDE THAT THEY WANT TO BRING THEIR EVENTS HERE.

SO THOSE ARE REALLY GOOD THINGS. TAYLOR COUNTY PROVIDES A COUNTY WORK CREWS FOR LARGE REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE TO THE FACILITY.

AND AS I SAID, THE $150,000 THAT THEY HAVE BUDGETED FOR US FOR, FOR THOSE ITEMS, THEY'RE REPAYING THE $55 MILLION BOND IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $3.7 MILLION A YEAR.

AND WHEN THEY WHEN WE GET THIS COMPLETED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, THEY WILL HAVE SPENT APPROXIMATELY $5.5 MILLION ON NEW PAVING OUT OF THE EXPO CENTER. AND I CAN'T BEGIN TO TELL YOU, ANY OF YOU THAT HAVE BEEN OUT THERE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THAT PAVING IS.

ESPECIALLY AROUND THE BARNS WHERE WE HAVE DUST BLOWING ALL THE TIME.

SO THAT'S GOING TO, IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT IMPROVEMENT. BUT WE ALSO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PAVE THE, THE PUBLIC PARKING AREA.

AND THAT'S BEEN GREAT AS WE'VE DISCUSSED IN THE PAST, THE EXPO CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS BEEN COMMITTED TO HAVING A $500,000 EMERGENCY RESERVE FUND IN CASE WE HAVE A BAD, FAIR OR BAD WESTERN HERITAGE OR SOMETHING.

AND LAST YEAR WE HAD $150,000 PUT AWAY. AT THIS TIME, WE HAVE $320,000 PUT AWAY.

AND SO WE'VE BEEN VERY LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

WE'VE ALSO SET A GOAL TO PUT ABOUT ABOUT $500,000 TO INCENT, TO BRING CONCERTS IN SO THAT WE CAN SELF PROMOTE THE CONCERT BUSINESS IS VERY RISKY.

AND SO WE DON'T WANT TO WE DON'T WANT TO GO INTO IT WITHOUT HAVING SOMETHING BEHIND US.

THE INCREASE THAT WE'VE SEEN OVER THE PAST YEAR WITH THE VENUE TAX HAS ALLOWED US TO DIVERT OUR OPERATING FUNDS FROM WESTERN HERITAGE CLASSIC AND WEST TEXAS FAIR AND RODEO TO THE TO OUR SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, AS WELL AS TO PURCHASING EQUIPMENT FOR THE FOR THE FACILITY.

THERE HAS ALSO BEEN SOME MINOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE FACILITY THAT THE EXPO CENTER HAS MADE WITH THOSE FUNDS.

SO RIGHT BEFORE WESTERN HERITAGE, WE ADDED 72 CAMERAS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY IN THE MIDWAY BUILDINGS TO HELP US WITH SECURITY.

AND SO THE VENUE TAXES ALLOWED US AGAIN TO SPEND THAT ON OUR OUR OPERATING EXPENSES AND THEN HAVE MONEY SET ASIDE TO DO SOME OF THESE OTHER ITEMS. SO WE'RE VERY THANKFUL FOR THE VENUE TAX.

IT IS RIGHT NOW A DOUBLE EDGED SWORD FOR US BECAUSE OF HOTEL ROOMS. THAT'S BEEN A PROBLEM, BUT THANKFULLY WE'VE WERE ABLE TO WORK WITH THE DOUBLETREE FOR WESTERN HERITAGE CLASSIC, AND WE'RE ABLE TO PUT UP A LOT OF OUR SPECTATORS DOWN THERE.

AND MOST OF THE HOTELS HAVE THAT HAVE WORKED WITH OUR LEGACY EVENTS HAVE HAVE PROMISED US TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT IN THE FUTURE.

SO AS I SAID, IT'S A DOUBLE EDGED SWORD. WE SURE APPRECIATE THE THE INCOME FROM IT, BUT IT HAS CREATED SOME SOME THINGS THAT WE'VE HAD TO, TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO HANDLE. AND SO I JUST APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR TIME.

I APPRECIATE ALL THE CONSIDERATION THAT YOU GIVE TO THE EXPO CENTER.

ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? AND HEY, JEFF, I'M GOING TO ASK, I'M GOING TO ASK YOU ALL THE SAME QUESTION THAT YOU CAN ANSWER WHEN YOU GET UP HERE.

YOU KNOW, I KNOW WITH THE, THE VENUE TAX COMING IN BETTER THIS YEAR AND I KNOW MAYBE THIS YEAR IT'S KIND OF, HEY, LET'S FIX SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN OFF AND WAITING AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT DOES, DOES YOUR BOARD AND JEFF, YOUR BOARD HAVE PLANS TO AGGRESSIVELY PROMOTE OUR EXPO CENTER EVENTS IN FRONTIER, TEXAS EVENTS MOVING FORWARD? YOU KNOW, YOU MENTIONED THE THE HIGH SCHOOL RODEO AND I KNOW, YOU KNOW, WHEN THAT WAS COMING UP, IT WAS ALWAYS, HEY, WE'RE IN COMPETITION WITH WACO.

I WAS THERE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. I DROVE BY THEIR FACILITY AND DISPARAGED IT AS MUCH AS I COULD.

AND I KNOW THEY'RE ALWAYS KIND OF OUR BIG COMPETITION.

OKAY, SO WE HAVE THIS UNTIL 2030, BUT ARE THERE PLANS MAYBE STARTING NEXT YEAR, MAYBE USE THE MONEY THIS YEAR TO KIND OF FIX THINGS UP,

[00:20:05]

AND SO WE CAN USE IT FOR PROMOTIONS. WE CAN USE IT FOR ADVERTISING.

AND APPARENTLY I DID. I DIDN'T WANT TO BE RUDE.

NO THAT'S FINE. BUT WE CAN USE IT FOR, FOR MARKETING.

OKAY. THE THING, THE THING THAT, THAT, THAT WE FALL INTO WITH MOST OF THE EVENTS THAT WE WORK WITH IS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO WANT INCENTIVE FUNDS.

AND SO THAT'S HOW WE HAVE TO, WE HAVE TO FIND A DIFFERENT SOURCE OF MONEY FOR INCENTIVE.

AND RIGHT NOW WE HAVE THE MARKETING PROGRAM THAT THE ABILENE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU PUTS ABOUT $30,000 A YEAR IN DIRECTLY, AND THE COUNTY DOES AS WELL. AND THEN THE ACVB HAS COME IN AND HAS LIKE FOR A HIGH SCHOOL RODEO, THEY GAVE AN ADDITIONAL $20,000 ON TOP OF THAT 30, YOU KNOW, FOR THE FUND TO INCENTIVIZE HIGH SCHOOL RODEO.

AND THE OTHER THING THAT I WOULD SAY WE'RE GOING TO WE HAVE TO WORK TO KEEP THE EVENTS THAT WE HAVE.

I DON'T HAVE ANY DATES IN THOSE BARNS FOR ANY NEW EVENTS.

I'M MAXED OUT IN THOSE IN THE THREE BARNS. THE COLISEUM IS WHERE I NEED TO CONCENTRATE MY EFFORTS TO BRING IN ADDITIONAL.

WHETHER IT'S ENTERTAINMENT OR CONVENTIONS OR WHAT.

OKAY, I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. OKAY. JEFF SALMON AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU BOTH ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO GET Q&A.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU MICHEL. THANKS, MICHEL. THANK YOU.

AND YES, SHE ALREADY POINTED OUT THAT I DIDN'T KNOW. SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO. YEAH. THAT'S RIGHT.

UNLESS YOU JUST WANT TO. WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I JUST APPRECIATE YOU ALL SERVING ON THIS BOARD.

THIS IS A EXCELLENT THING THAT WE'VE SET UP HERE FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO BENEFIT FROM THESE PARTICULAR RESTRICTED TOURISM TAXES AND, AND IF YOU'LL REMEMBER THAT THIS IS THE, THIS, THE REASON WE'RE SITTING HERE RIGHT NOW WAS WHEN WE RENEWED THIS THAT ALLOWED FRONTIER TEXAS TO USE FUNDS TO BUILD THE NEW ADDITION TO OUR BUILDING, WHICH HAS BEEN VERY, VERY WELL RECEIVED. THE NEW EXHIBIT HALLS, THE NEW CLASSROOM, AND THE NEW ARTIFACT SPACE AND JUST BEING UTILIZED QUITE A BIT BY THE COMMUNITY. THE NONPROFIT SECTOR IS REALLY GRATEFUL TO HAVE SO MUCH ACCESS TO THE NEW MEETING ROOM.

AND SO THOSE HAVE BEEN SOME GREAT THINGS. AND SO THINGS ARE GOING GREAT.

WE'RE STILL OPERATING THE WAY WE HAVE FOR THE PAST 22 YEARS.

WE'RE OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. WE CLOSED THREE DAYS A YEAR.

WE'RE DOING ALL THAT SAME STUFF. I'M VERY CAREFUL TO EVER DRAMATICALLY CHANGE THINGS BECAUSE I'M A PERSON THAT'S CONSERVATIVE AND SAYS IF IT'S NOT TOTALLY BROKEN, DON'T FIX IT, BUT ALSO LOOK FOR NEW OPPORTUNITIES, WHICH IS WHAT WE BROUGHT WITH THE NEW EXHIBIT HALL.

AND SO WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF NEW EXHIBITS. THOSE ARE BEING WELL RECEIVED.

AND SO THAT IS ALL GOING WELL. I WAS GOING TO IMMEDIATELY GO INTO YOUR QUESTION.

THE MAIN QUESTION THAT OUR BOARD IS DEALING WITH RIGHT NOW IS THE WHAT ARE WE DOING TO BE VERY SMART AND STRATEGIC WITH THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS THAT ARE COMING IN RIGHT NOW, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU WOULD EXPECT, SOME DEFERRED MAINTENANCE, SOME FIXING THINGS THAT IMPROVEMENTS THAT THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT ARE JUST KIND OF THAT MONEY FREES UP THE OTHER MONEY, OUR EARNED REVENUES, THE MONEY THAT WE RAISED THROUGH FUNDRAISING, IT JUST GIVES US MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO DO THOSE KIND OF THINGS.

WE'VE ALSO STARTED DOING MORE PUBLIC PROGRAMS JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE THE SPACE AND WE ALWAYS HAVE WANTED TO HAVE PROGRAMING THAT CAN BE ACCESSIBLE BOTH TO A TOURIST AND BENEFITS THE LOCAL PUBLIC. AND SO WE'VE JUST STARTED DOING MORE TEACHER TRAININGS AND MORE PROGRAMS WITH FAMILIES, SOME MOVIE NIGHTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. AND THOSE ARE ALL BEING VERY WELL RECEIVED.

AND SO THEN THE OTHER BIG THING THAT THE EXCESS MONEY FREES US, FREES OTHER MONEY UP TO DO IS REPLACING A ROOF THAT HAS BEEN PROBLEMATIC THAT WE JUST KIND OF IT WORKS AND WE CAN PATCH IT AND WE'RE GOOD AT THAT, BUT PROBABLY GETTING IT REALLY FIXED THIS TIME.

AND THEN THE OTHER THING IT OPENS US UP TO DO IS PARTNERING WITH THE CITY, AND WE'RE GOING TO COVER THE COST OF A NEW CROSSWALK THERE BECAUSE IT'S BEEN WE'VE HAD SOME VERY NEAR DISASTERS WITH THE MORE THAT TOURISTS COME AND THEY PARK IN OUR PARKING LOT, BECAUSE WE'RE OFTEN THE VERY FIRST PLACE THAT A LEISURE TOURIST WHO'S JUST WANDERING AROUND COMES TO.

[00:25:01]

WE CAN SEE IT. THEY JUST START WALKING ACROSS. AND BECAUSE OF THAT CORNER PRETTY DANGEROUS.

AND SO THE CITY'S BEEN GREAT. THEY'RE EVALUATING RIGHT NOW.

AND, BUT WE'RE GOING TO BASICALLY COVER THE COSTS FOR THAT, BUT THE CITY WILL DO THAT PROJECT.

SO THAT'S THE BIG THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING AT FRONTIER TEXAS.

THANKS, JEFF. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE ANY OF US EVER SEEN A REALLY GOOD PRESENTATION AND THEN SAID, GEE, I WISH I'D ASKED THIS QUESTION. AND THAT'S WHY I LIKE ROCHELLE AND JEFF TO BE HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT WE HAVEN'T ASKED YET.

I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, BUT I JUST HAVE GREAT APPRECIATION FOR WHAT YOU ALL DO AND YOUR BOARDS DO, BECAUSE TOGETHER, WE'RE MAKING A GREAT ABILENE.

SO THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

AND THIS HAS JUST SIMPLY BEEN FOR DISCUSSION AND INFORMATION.

THERE IS NO ACTION REQUIRED BY OUR BOARD AS THIS IS JUST AN INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO GO TO ITEM NUMBER SIX.

[6. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding the FY 2027 Allocation of the 2% Venue Tax]

AND MARJORIE, IS THERE ANYTHING THAT WE NEED TO FILL IN AS FAR AS THE DISCUSSION ON THE DISTRIBUTION? JUST TAKE A VOTE ON IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE IT OR MAINTAIN IT, OR IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS ON PERCENTAGE OF DISTRIBUTION, I WOULD ASK FOR A MOTION AND A SECOND FROM THE BOARD FOR THE ALLOCATION OF 50% FOR FRONTIER TEXAS, AS WELL AS 50% FOR THE EXPO CENTER. IS THERE A MOTION? SO MOVED. SECOND. OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM MR. MCALLISTER AND A SECOND FROM JUDGE CROWLEY. AND ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? ALL RIGHT. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER SEVEN.

[7. Approval of the Fiscal Year 2026 Revised Budget and the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget]

AND NOW I WILL CALL ON MARJORIE KNIGHT TO PRESENT THIS ITEM, PLEASE.

SO BEFORE YOU IS OUR WE'LL START WITH OUR 2026 REVISED BUDGET.

SO WE'LL START WITH OUR OPERATING FUND, WHICH IS THE FUND THAT COLLECTS ALL OF THE VENUE TAXES AND PAYS THE DISBURSEMENTS TO FRONTIER TEXAS AND THE EXPO CENTER.

SO WE HAVE UPDATED 2026 FOR THE LATEST VALUES.

AS YOU CAN SEE, WE'VE GOT ABOUT $1 MILLION INCREASE TO OVER 2.7 MILLION.

WE ARE OVER THE ORIGINAL BUDGET BY APPROXIMATELY 59%.

SO HOTEL TAX REVENUES CONTINUE TO BE EXTRAORDINARY.

WITH THIS, IT INCREASED EXPENDITURES ALSO TO APPROXIMATELY THE 2.7 MILLION AND DISBURSEMENTS FOR FRONTIER TEXAS AND EXPO CENTER HAVE INCREASED TO ABOUT 1.255 MILLION EACH. SO MOVING OVER TO 2027, WE DID GO AHEAD AND ESTIMATE ABOUT A 30% DECREASE IN HOTEL TAX REVENUE.

THE REASON FOR THIS IS BECAUSE WE DO AT THIS EXACT MOMENT FEEL THAT WE MIGHT BE AT THE PEAK.

SO WE EXPECT THAT IT WILL START TO SLOWLY DECLINE, BUT MAYBE NOT COMPLETELY BECAUSE WE STILL HAVE ANOTHER DATA CENTER PROJECT WITHIN THE COUNTY THAT WE EXPECT WILL, WILL CONTINUE TO WILL HAVE WORKERS COMING IN AND STAYING.

IT WAS INTENDED TO JUST TO HAVE OUR REVENUE ESTIMATES BE AS CONSERVATIVE AS POSSIBLE.

WE CAN'T ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH OUR HOTEL TAX REVENUE.

SO WITH THE DECREASE REVENUE IS ESTIMATED AT ABOUT 1.9 MILLION.

AND THEN EXPENDITURES ARE ALSO ABOUT THE SAME 1.9 MILLION WITH THE FRONTIER TEXAS AND EXPO CENTER DISBURSEMENTS DECREASING TO ABOUT 854,000 EACH. SO THIS IS OUR INTEREST AND SINKING FUND. THE PURPOSE OF THIS FUND IS SOLELY TO TRANSFER REVENUES THAT WILL THEN PAY FOR DEBT SERVICE.

SO YOU'LL SEE IT'S VERY CONSISTENT WITH 2027 IS CONSISTENT WITH 2026.

REALLY THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS JUST A SLIGHTLY LOWER DEBT SERVICE PAYMENT OF 172,800 AS THE INTEREST EXPENSE DECREASED A LITTLE BIT.

SO BOARD HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. DO WE HAVE? AND I GUESS IT'S A QUESTION FOR YOU AND ALSO, MR. SMITH, DO WE NEED SEPARATE MOTIONS TO APPROVE THE REVISED BUDGET AND THEN THE 2027 BUDGET? OR WE CAN PUT IT ALL IN ONE MOTION. YOU CAN DO ONE MOTION.

[00:30:05]

AND RIGHT NOW I WOULD ASK FOR A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE FY 26 REVISED BUDGET, AS WELL AS THE FISCAL YEAR 2027 BUDGET. MR. PRESIDENT, I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THE REVISED 2026 BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET AND ALSO APPROVE THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2027 BUDGET. IS THERE A SECOND? MISS HALL? ALL RIGHT. SO WE HAVE A MOTION BY JUDGE CROWLEY AND A SECOND BY SHEA HALL.

IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. OKAY. THIS IS THE ONE WE'VE ALL BEEN LOOKING FOR.

THAT CONCLUDES OUR AGENDA. AND IT IS. CAN I ASK A QUESTION REAL FAST? YES, PLEASE. MARJORIE, IF YOU IF YOUR ESTIMATIONS ARE NOT CORRECT AND WE STAY, YOU KNOW, OUR HOTELS ARE STILL GOING WIDE OPEN. WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH THOSE FUNDS? WE THEY STILL GET DISTRIBUTED THE SAME WITH THE SAME ALLOCATION, SAME PERCENTAGE.

WE WOULD COME IT REVISED AND AND ADJUST IT. BUT WE STILL CONSERVATIVE IN.

YES. WE DISBURSE ALL OF THE FUNDS THAT ARE RECEIVED.

SO YES. OR SEND THEM TO KIND OF HOPE YOU'RE WRONG, BUT I DON'T WANT ANYBODY DOING WRONG.

I HOPE WE JUST STILL KEEP GOING. SO YEAH, LET'S STAY UP.

WE'VE GOT MORE THINGS COMING THROUGH. SO OKAY, SO THAT CONCLUDES OUR AGENDA.

IT IS NOW 2:35 P.M.. AND I WILL SAY THAT THIS MEETING OF THE ABILENE TAYLOR COUNTY EVENTS VENUE DISTRICT IS NOW ADJOURNED.

THANK YOU.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.