LOWELL -- The new director of the Advertising and Promotions Commission started work and has an office but no employment contract, he said.
The new commission April 25 picked Mike Maloney, a former Cave Springs mayor and Eureka Springs advertising and promotions director, to be its first director. Maloney was one of 14 applicants.
Lowell commission
The Lowell Advertising and Promotions Commission meets 6 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of every month in Lowell City Council Chambers, 216 N. Lincoln St.
Source: Staff report
Maloney has begun working out of an office provided by the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce but isn't on payroll, he said. He presented the commission Thursday with a draft budget and other ideas.
"It's concerning," said Linda Vannoy, commissioner and City Council member said of Maloney not having a contract. "We appreciate the time he's donated to the city, but we want to make sure we're doing what's in his best interest and in the city's best interest."
Commissioner Frank Jameson said the director position would be part time and pay about $45,000 a year.
Tom Kieklak, city attorney, didn't respond to a request for comment Friday. Kieklak is responsible for drafting Maloney's contract.
Mayor Chris Moore said the commission is a separate entity from the city and its director wouldn't be a city employee.
A representative of the Arkansas Municipal League couldn't be reached for comment Friday.
The draft budget shows the commission initially bringing in $367,000 per year and spending $297,100 per year, resulting in a $69,900 surplus.
"A&P commissions need to have some sort of working budget. This is the budget I am accountable for," Maloney told the commission Thursday.
Expenses include $175,000 for advertising, $45,000 for contracted labor and $18,000 for art and video, among other things.
Vannoy said she would like to see the commission approve a final budget by July.
The commission was established in 2018 after the City Council in November 2017 passed a tax on hotels, motels and restaurants, meaning gross receipts of hotel and motel accommodations and prepared food and beverages are taxed an additional 2 percent. People eating or staying in a hotel or motel in the city now pay an 11.5% tax.
The city began collecting the tax in May 2018. Jerry Hudlow, finance director, said the tax was bringing in about $31,000 per month. Cities are required to have an advertising and promotion commission if they have a tax on lodging or prepared food.
Maloney said in April his first goal on the job would be to look at what events Lowell could host before the end of the year. He told the commission Thursday he would like to see Lowell have a Veterans Day celebration.
"I know these are the things that touch people's hearts, and it just makes us a good, responsible partner with the community and really with all the region," he said.
Maloney would also like to look into having a fall festival and a Christmas program where the mayor could light a Christmas tree, he said.
"Now is the time to buy Christmas decorations. Now is the time to buy a tree because they're all on sale right now for 50% off," he said.
Maloney said the goal is to get people excited about what's happening in Lowell and to show stakeholders the city is trying to invest in the community.
NW News on 05/13/2019