Action taken by Branson Board of Aldermen
Board approves extension of sewer lines for new developments
Aldermen gave final approval to a bill establishing a cooperative sewer and annexation agreement for extending sewer lines for a new winery and for the Branson Hills Development. The winery will be built along the west side of Highway 65, south of Buchanan Road. The total cost of the sewer lines is $400,000 with the city paying $150,000, the winery $75,000, and Branson Hills developers paying $175,000. The city’s cost is only for over sizing the sewer lines for future development needs in that area and is the portion of line that does not serve the two developments.
Board gives unused funds to Branson Chamber
Aldermen approved on first reading a bill allowing the Branson Lakes Area Chamber or Commerce to access city tourism tax funds not used in last year’s budget for marketing. The amount is $139,388 and is the portion of the 2006 budget not spent by the Chamber, but remains available as stated in the marketing contract between the Chamber and city of Branson.
Chamber reports on ’07 marketing strategy
Representatives from the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce gave a report to the Board of Aldermen on how it plans to spend funds generated from the city’s tourism tax. The Chamber has about two and one half times more money to spend on marketing — $8 million this year compared to $2.5 million in 2006. This additional tax money is due to passage of a 1 percent tourism sales tax last year in Branson, Silver Dollar City properties and Indian Point in eastern Stone County. The Chamber says it plans to extend more advertising into major markets like Denver, Chicago and Dallas. This year’s slogan that will be a recurring theme throughout the year’s media advertising is “Somebody you love is always playing in Branson.†Of the $8-million, more than $6.3 million or 79-percent will be spent on media advertising like TV, radio, print and website.
