Poplar Bluff City Council members are considering a tourism advertising campaign that would spend about $50,000 on billboards, conferences and magazine advertising.
The proposal was discussed Tuesday by the council, before they passed an increase to grave prices at City Cemetery and other ordinances.
The city has a dedicated fund for tourism expenses that currently has a surplus of almost $262,000, city manager Mark Massingham said.
The majority of tourism tax dollars help support the Black River Coliseum, but certain money designated for tourism advertising has built up, Massingham explained.
Massingham requested the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce develop options for this money.
"For every $1 Missouri invests in marketing tourism, $57.76 is returned in visitor expenditures," said Steve Halter, chamber president.
The plan would advertise some of the great things in Poplar Bluff, such as its access to outdoor activities, Halter said.
The proposal includes using five billboards that would be changed seasonally at a total cost of approximately $35,000 for the year. Locations would be in the Dexter, Van Buren and Poplar Bluff areas.
Another $3,500 would send representatives to conferences to meet with those coordinating bus excursions and other group activities.
Approximately $6,000 would be used to create tourism videos, which could be shown in local hotels and other areas.
Grave prices
Council members voted to increase grave prices at City Cemetery from $200 to $300.
Massingham previously said other cemeteries are charging prices of $400 and this will increase city revenues.
In other business, the council:
* Discussed and voted to correct a 2011 error in zoning for property located adjacent to Hickman Road, changing the designation from RS-3 central area residential to RA-2 residential apartment.
* Moved a request to the March 5 voting session to place a new-from-factory manufactured home at 1014 Clyde St. Applicant is Sylvia Price Yancy. City planner Dennis Avery said the home would be placed on a vacant lot and that zoning in this area of the city allows this, to allow affordable housing in under utilized areas of the city.
* Approved amendments to the 2018 budget, including a reduction in the police equipment spending to allow for the purchase of an additional police car.
* Acceptance of a portion of Herschel Bess Boulevard from the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission.
* Approval to seek a Community Development Block Grant for improvements at Rodgers Theatre.