Bluffton committee has less bed tax to dole out for latest quarter

A Bluffton committee had the unpleasant chore Monday of paring $65,000 in requests to the only $37,252 generated by bed taxes.

The Bluffton Accommodations Tax Advisory committee met Monday to dole out the town's accommodations tax money -- down 10 percent compared to last year -- for the second quarter of the fiscal year.

Seven groups requested more than $65,000 for this quarter alone.

The Town Council must give final approval to the committee's recommendations.

The accommodations tax, also known as a bed tax, is a local and state tax paid by hotel guests that funds tourism-related activities.

Ilyse Queen, chairwoman of the six-member committee, said this quarter's shortage made distributing funds difficult.

"The Bluffton Historical Preservation Society needs to have the money because they support everybody -- they're the heart of the town," Queen said of the $15,000 slated to go to the society, $10,000 of which pays the group's operating expenses.

Hilton Head's Concours d' Elegance's request of $10,000 was tabled until next quarter.

"It was tough, but Concours will be OK because they don't need the funding until next year," Queen said.

Despite the shortfall, committee members remained optimistic revenues would increase and that applicants would be able to generate their own revenue.

However, Jim Wescott, executive director of the regional Lowcountry Tourism Commission based in Yemassee, expressed concern over the lack of funds at both the local and state level. The state denied flat-out the group's request for marketing funds and the town cut the group's $9,000 request in half.

"Everyone is experiencing shortfalls and we are struggling this year," said Wescott. "In a typical year, we would take the a-tax funds and match it with money from the state grant, but we can't do that this year. This is why we need the funding so badly."

A-TAX BOX

Amount available this quarter: $40,491

Bluffton Historical Preservation Society Inc. requested $25,000, received $15,000

The Old Town Bluffton Merchants Society requested $7,470, received $6,700

Historical Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival requested and received $5,000

May River Theatre Co. requested $5,200, received $5,000

Per town ordinance, the Bluffton Chamber of Commerce receives a standard eight percent, which amounts to $3,239

The Lowcountry Tourism Commission requested $9,000, received $3,000

Hilton Head Choral Society requested $3,235, received $2,500

Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance's request of $10,000 was tabled until next quarter

The town has $142,000 to distribute for the rest of the fiscal year, which ends June 30.