The Pagosa Springs Town Council and Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) recently discussed the roles and responsibilities of the Pagosa Springs Area Tourism Board, along with board member term lengths.
“Before we start on this topic, I want to make it very clear to everyone that this is me,” Pagosa Springs Mayor Shari Pierce stated, explaining that the discussion was not due to any complaints about board members or the executive director of tourism, Jennifer Green.
She added, “This is me wanting to review the [intergovernmental agreement] and make sure that its functioning in a good manner.”
Pierce noted that the intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between the town and county was updated about a year ago and asked for feedback from other council and BoCC members, noting that she and Commissioner Veronica Medina “had a conversation” with thoughts and ideas about how to update the IGA to “make it a little more clear.”
Commissioner John Ranson, the current BoCC representative on the tourism board, explained that through the three meetings he has been a part of, “It seems to be, in my opinion, working well,” with no “glaring” issues, adding that it is a “very thoughtful group” with members who are in tune with what’s going on in the community.
Council member Gary Williams is the town’s representative on the tourism board and explained that board members have expressed interest in having longer terms. He noted that terms are currently two years, and that some board members feel that isn’t enough time to be as helpful with it taking a year or longer to get fully up to speed on how the board operates.
Williams suggested that board members may want to extend terms from two years to three or possibly four years.
Williams also noted a section of the IGA that states that the tourism director is to report to the board, which is supervised by the town manager, stating that “seems kind of unusual,” given the board is a citizen advisory group.
“That’s a really good point,” Pierce stated.
Council member Madeline Bergon indicated that she would be in support of tourism board members having three- or four-year terms.
“I know that they’re a lot of people that want to be involved in this board,” Commissioner Warren Brown said, adding that it is one of the boards “where community participation and desire is still alive and well.”
Brown stated that he could support three-year terms for board members, but noted he’d push back against four-year terms in order to maintain community interest.
Green mentioned that two years is about the timeframe board members typically take to get up to speed on board “norms” and historical decisions, adding that she does not have a strong preference for three- or four-year terms.
She explained that seven out of nine seats on the tourism board are designated for specific groups, organizations or industries within the community.
“There will be turnover naturally,” Green said, explaining that someone from a specific industry might change their career and leave the board before completing a term.
Pierce also acknowledged Williams’ comments on how the IGA states that Green reports to the board, suggesting the wording could be changed so that Green reports to the town manager instead.
Medina commented that Green’s title may also need to be more clearly defined, noting that it appears as “executive director of tourism,” and tourism director” throughout the IGA.
Pierce indicated that the title most appropriate for Green’s position would be “executive director of tourism.”
Green mentioned that she feels obligated to report to 19 people, naming the members of the town council, BoCC and tourism board.
Pierce stated that she did not feel it was necessary for Green to feel obligated to report to 19 different individuals, noting that the town manager is also responsible for coordinating and communicating with board members.
“I do feel like tourism is a unique department in the community,” Green said, explaining she has been in her position for more than 15 years.
“I just want to empower you to do your job,” Pierce added.
Pagosa Springs Town Manager David Harris commented that the tourism board is an advisory board, adding that the board chair can also help Green in addressing different projects or inquiries from the community.
Brown also commented on another section of the IGA that defines the duty of the board as a “citizens advisory committee” whose sole purpose is to make recommendations to the county and town relative to expenditures of town and county lodging tax.
“That is their function, as this reads,” Brown added.
Ranson added that he would like to see some language more clearly defining the advisory role of the board.
Pierce then asked for volunteers from the town council and BoCC to refine the IGA and include suggested changes from the joint work session.
Medina and Bergon were nominated by their peers to refine the IGA, with Pierce suggesting that Green and the tourism board chair to also go through the document.
Event funding
Earlier in the day, the tourism board held a special meeting at which a total of $23,500 was approved to be awarded to seven different events in the community for 2025 and one event in 2026.
The tourism board reviewed the first round of event applications at its February meeting and approved $50,750 for nine different events.
According to Green’s agenda brief, the tourism board has $100,000 in its budget for event funding in 2025, though she explained in a later interview that town council approved an additional $40,000 to the tourism budget for 2025.
During the meeting, Green indicated that the tourism board has approved $121,720 in expenditures for the year out of the available $140,000.
She explained that those expenditures include the cost of events the tourism board is responsible for, such as the Fourth of July event, Halloween Hootenanny, Old Fashioned Christmas and holiday lighting contest. The tourism board has also allocated $8,045 for trash and recycling services, as well as providing aluminum reusable cups for events in 2025.
Green’s brief also notes that there are already eight new events applying for event funding in 2025 compared to 2024.
Green explained that there is just over $18,00 left in the tourism budget that is available for funding, and is on a first-come, first-serve basis until the remaining funds are allocated.
The tourism board will hold a regular meeting on Wednesday, April 2, at 4 p.m. at Town Hall.
Green indicated the board will hear a new event funding request from the Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts.
According to the April 2 agenda, that request is for an amount of $25,000.
clayton@pagosasun.com
>