Declining transient guest tax revenues to a view that cost savings have not been realized by the Geary County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau under a consolidated Chamber of Commerce drew strong criticism during the CVB Advisory Committee’s monthly board meeting in Junction City.

After extensive discussion in which the majority of the discussion focused on CVB problems under the Chamber umbrella, there was a recommendation from Board member Brian Field to do a comprehensive evaluation and review of the consolidation of the entities when they formed the Chamber. The consolidated organization is now approximately five years old. There was no motion but there was support to form a committee to do that comprehensive review.

Board member and Geary County Commissioner Keith Ascher addressed the next step, saying based on discussions Tuesday that’s where the board wants to go. “We’ll see if we can put together a small committee and discuss this a little farther. Yeah, it’s only fair.” Ascher noted he felt he should be on the committee along with Chamber CEO Dennis Beson, CVB Advisory Committee Chairman Mike Harris, Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman Stan Hambright, CVB Director Michelle Stimatze and Brian Field, who did indicate he would be willing to serve on it.

Some of the opinions that aired from CVB Committee members included:

–Chairman Mike Harris noting that prior to consolidation things operated well, but cost savings with consolidation were never realized. He said the CVB is paying higher rent and portions of people’s salaries who are not working for that agency. He added the CVB has more overhead expense than before so they do not have the marketing money to recruit as much as in the past.

–Committee member Susan Kamm noted the CVB survival depends on transient guest tax funds, unlike the Chamber of Commerce. it is the CVB lodging tax. She added funds from that tax are going into a sports complex fund, and the advisory committee should have more of a say in what they’re doing.

–Board member Tony Reitz indicated there should be more flexibility by the CVB to make decisions for the betterment of the community. This was supposed to be mutually beneficial for both parties but it doesn’t feel that way.

–Committee member Honey Grant added she was against the consolidation initially but it needed to be given a try. And it’s embarrassing they do not have the say where the committee should. Grant said the CVB committee needs to get back on track on how to “get things back in our area” and needs more of a say.

–One committee member Jim Sands expressed support for consolidation and expressed anger about the timing of a recent County Commission notice of intent to withdraw from the Chamber of Commerce master agreement. That announcement came before a July 1 deadline for issuance of notice, and no final action on withdrawal would occur before the end of the year. That allows time for discussion on the issues. Sands, who also serves on the Junction City Commission, indicated he felt he had been stabbed in the back, that under a consolidated Chamber operation the community brings the best resources together, to just kill it is a dumb idea and consolidation is working in other communities.

–Chamber CEO Dennis Beson spoke emphatically in support of the consolidation, noting the CVB has worked well in a partnership situation under the consolidated umbrella. “I think that the current situation is one that needs to be looked at more diligently. I’ve asked over the last two years that I’ve been here for us to examine everything. A big part of our ( Chamber ) Board retreat last year was setting goals and finding out whether they were attainable and actual numbers driven.” Beson added he wants to everything about this “before we make a knee jerk decision it’s not working.”

Ascher told JCPost.com he thinks the biggest concern with the CVB is financial. “It always has been, and it’s been an ongoing problem. And the more people I talk to said since consolidation CVB has slipped.” Ascher was quick to add there are multiple factors to that. “And I’m not pointing fingers. It needs to be addressed and addressed now.”