Bluffton takes a closer look at where the A-tax money goes

This is how serious Bluffton is about looking harder look at the money it gives nonprofit groups promoting local tourism:

Those seven groups asked for $160,200.

The town awarded about half of that amount.

"We need a better system for when, how and who (gets funding)," Councilman Fred Hamilton said at a council meeting earlier this week.

The money comes from accommodations taxes -- a 2 percent tax on overnight lodging collected by the state and redistributed to counties and municipalities to fund the promotion programs.

Town officials worry that some of the groups asking for money duplicate efforts of other organizations.

For example, a request for $20,000 from the Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce to help pay for a guide book on Gullah Geechee culture and other marketing efforts was reduced to $7,500.

The reduction was in part due to "discussion(s) regarding the redundancy of what is done by (the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce)," according to a town memo.

Larry Holman, president of the Beaufort County Black Chamber, said his organization is unique because of its focus on historical and cultural heritage tourism.

"We do not compete with (the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce)," he said.

The council opted not to provide give any money to the Lowcountry Golf Course Owners Association, which requested $7,500 for a Golf Channel advertising campaign.

"Everybody knows about golf in Hilton Head and Bluffton. I think we have that covered," Councilman Ted Huffman said.

The association has already received $12,000 from the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber for television advertising, according to a town memo.

Town officials also worry that some of the promotions are for attractions outside Bluffton.

Some councilmembers, for example, cited what they see as the Black Chamber's emphasis on promoting Beaufort events at the expense of Bluffton attractions like the Garvin House.

"I have a problem with giving (tax revenues) to any organization that is not in Bluffton. The money came from Bluffton businesses. I'd rather have parking (improvements) and parks for kids and things that we can use instead of giving money away to everyone in Beaufort County," Councilman Larry Toomer said.

Mayor Lisa Sulka wants to "bring in all of our nonprofits for a workshop ... and speak to them about what they are spending our money on."

Charlene Gardner, vice chair of the town's Accommodations Tax Committee, said the panel is willing to work to improve how funding decisions are made.

"We are trying to figure out the best way for (tax) dollars to be used," she said. "Does it provide for tourism? Is it going to bring people to town and are they going to be spending money? Those are things we are trying to discern."

Follow reporter Lucas High at twitter.com/IPBG_Lucas.

This story was originally published August 14, 2015 at 5:13 PM with the headline "Bluffton takes a closer look at where the A-tax money goes."