Published: May 13, 2008 02:09 pm         

$3,999.99 is accepted to raze building

Demolition should begin this week on a First Street former business to make more room for parking at the Morehead Conference Center.

The Morehead Tourism Commission voted unanimously Friday in special session to accept a $3,999.99 bid from Blair Excavating to tear down the former Treasure Vault at 131 E. First Street.

The site is separated from the conference center by a building housing WIVY radio station offices.

The other two bids presented to the commission were $5,800 from Caudill Excavating of Morehead and $6,500 from CK Contracting of Vanceburg.

Blair Excavating will demolish the building and remove the concrete pad, as well as remove debris. The company is currently cleaning up debris from its demolishing of buildings across from city hall, also to become a parking lot.

• In other business the commission adopted first reading of the 2008-2009 budget for the tourism commission and the conference center. This budget plan must be approved by city council before it can be given final approval by the commission.

Highlights of the two budgets, which combined are $1.27 million, include:

Morehead Conference Center

Revenues

Events — Increased from $70,000 to $95,000

Lundy’s Catering—Decreased from $23,500 to $15,500. Last year’s budget was miscalculated.

Rental Services Income — Increased from $1000 to $5000. This line item is for rental items such as linens, Audio/Visual equipment, dance floor, etc.



Expenses

Personnel:

Salaries increase 3% for MCC Manager and MCC Building Operator. William Utterback, MCC Building Service Technician has moved from part-time to full-time employee.



Fringes:

State Unemployment - Decreased from $700 per employee to $660 annually.

Retirement — Rate decreased from 16.17% to 15.58%; however, added one full-time employee.

Health Insurance — Due to not receiving rates from the KLC in time for City Council meeting director used the 2007/08 figures for health insurance. This includes budgeting for 3 full-time MCC employees. Currently the Morehead Tourism Commission pays the following part of premium for employee:

Single employee - MTC pays $300 per month of single premium Employee plus spouse - MTC pays $400 per month of Employee/Spouse premium.

Family Plan - MTC pays $600 per month of Family Plan premium



Offices Expenses:

Cleaning Supplies - Increase from $5000 to $15,000 based on need. This will include carpet & window cleaning, Cintas bathroom sanitizer services, etc.

Contract Labor — Increased from $5000 to $7500 due to the need for extra help when the MCC has multiple events on evenings and weekends.

Event Supplies - Decreased from $16,000 to $5,000 due to new line item for MCC catering and concessions that was previously run through this line item.

Garbage Pick-up — Increased from $700 to $720 due to actual cost. Marketing/Printing/Advertising — Decreased from $16,000 to $8,500.

Utilities: - MUPB & KU increased due to current usage and projections for 08/09 (Gas increased from $20,000 to $33,110; Water & Sewer increased from $500 to $600; Electric for the building increased from $65,000 to $70,000; Electric for the sign increased from $1,000 to $2,000).

MCC Internet Hosting — Decreased from $650 to $540 due to switching hosting companies.

MCC Insurance — No change.

Dry Cleaning — Decreased from $6000 to $4750 due to contracting with linen company.

Phone/DSL - Decreased from $6,800 to $6,200 due to current usage.

MCC Office Supplies — No change.

MCC Employee Uniforms — Increased from $500 to $750.

MCC General Liability Insurance — Decreased from $8500 to $4700 based on current rates.

MCC Equipment Maintenance, Service & Repair — Increased from $3,000 to $10,300 due to need.

Depreciative Asset Reserve — This is one percent of revenue dedicated to a separate “savings” account.



Parking Leases

Jim Barker — Increased from $7200 to $7600 based on lease agreement.



Morehead Tourism Commission

Revenues

Restaurant Tax & Hotel Tax set by Mayor based on 2007/08 receipts. 100% of Hotel/Motel tax is dedicated to Tourism side of budget. 95% of Restaurant Tax is dedicated to Morehead Conference Center and 5% is dedicated to Tourism.

State Matching Funds - Based on 2007

Carryover - Based on Projected Cash Flow Report



Expenses

Personnel: Salaries - 3% increase

Fringes

State Unemployment - Decreased from $700 per employee to $660 annually.

Retirement - Decreased from 16.17% to 15.58%

Health Insurance — Due to not receiving rates from the KLC in time for City Council meeting used the 2007/08 figures for health insurance. This includes 2 full-time Tourism employees. Currently the Morehead Tourism Commission pays the following part of premium for employee:

Single employee - MTC pays $300 per month of single premium

Employee plus spouse - MTC pays $400 per month of Employee/Spouse premium

Family Plan - MTC pays $600 per month of Family Plan premium



Office Expenses/Miscellaneous:

Vehicle Maintenance/Gas — No change.

Office Supplies — No change.

Cell Phone — New line item. $50 per month for Executive Director and MCC Manager.

Postage — No change.

Copier Lease — No change.

Postage Meter — No change.

Insurance - Increased to include Workers Comp policy.

Internet/Hosting — Increased from $300 to $540 due to switching hosting companies.

Dues/Seminars/Travel Shows — No change.

Contingency - Based on Cash Flow Projections



2008/09 PROPOSED BUDGET EXPLANATIONS

Promotions:

Eagle Trace — No change.

Special Events - Increased from $30,000 to $40,000. $13,500 of this is committed to the

Professional Musky Tournament, $5000 committed to Cabela’s Crappie Tournament. Balance to be used to help find special events to bring in tourist to Morehead/Rowan

County.

Misc. Advertising - Increase from $30,000 to $40,000.

TEAM KY — Deleted line item. Did not feel this was beneficial to our community.



Debt Service:

Van - Van was paid off in 2007.



Professional Services:

Legal - Decreased from $2000 to $1000 based on need.

Monthly Payroll — No change.

Audit — Increased from $5000 to $5800. Based on winning bid to John T. Lane & Associates.