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RESOLUTION R-:1920-21: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, APPROPRIATING $15,000 FROM THE ROOM TAX FUND BALANCE FOR THE NORMAN ARTS COUNCIL.
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BACKGROUND: Pursuant to the Norman City Code, Section 8-521 (et. Seq.), the City Council has established a policy whereby room tax collections are distributed to three organizations to further the aims of the Transient Guest (Hotel/Motel) Room Tax: the Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau (“Visit Norman”) for purposes of convention and tourism attraction (50%); the Parks Department for parks capital improvement projects (25%); and the Norman Arts Council for arts and humanities purposes (25%). The Norman Arts Council (NAC) has primarily used its allocations to fund programs through “sub-grant” organizations and through direct sponsorships to promote the visual and performing arts in Norman.
As of June 30, 2019, the arts and humanities portion of the Room Tax Fund had a fund balance of $32,130. Assuming that eight percent (8%) of projected allocations are held in reserve (as is the policy for most City funds), approximately $29,559 would be available for appropriation by the Council from “excess” reserves for arts-related expenditures.
DISCUSSION: As discussed in the attached letter from NAC Executive Director Erinn Gavaghan, the Norman Arts Council Board of Directors has requested an appropriation of $15,000 of available Room Tax Fund balance to fund the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits Standards for Excellence training and certifications for Norman arts organizations. This nationally recognized program teaches best practices for nonprofit management, governance, and legal compliance.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the appropriation of $15,000 of available Room Tax Fund balance (account 023-0000-253.20-00) to Contributions-Organizations (account 023-3041-451.47-41) be approved for use by the Norman Arts Council for the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits Standards for Excellence training.