Visit Baton Rouge’s 2016 budget will increase by about 3.5% if approved in December by the tourism promotion agency’s board of directors. VBR’s finance committee today recommended the full board sign off on a proposed budget of $4.45 million, up from $4.29 million last year. The agency’s revenues come almost entirely from a portion of occupancy taxes collected at area hotels.
On the spending side, proposed expenses will increase just 2% to $4.34 million, up from $4.24 million last year. Personnel expenses will increase 3%, while spending on communications will inch up about 1%.
“I’m proud that every year we come up with a realistic budget and every year we come up with an effective plan,” says VBR President and CEO Paul Arrigo.
Earlier in the day, the personnel committee voted to recommend a 2.5% pay raise for Arrigo. If approved next month by the board, his salary will increase to $167,000 annually, up from $163,000.
One of the more noteworthy changes in the proposed 2016 budget is with spending on special projects. Those expenditures will increase 36% to $64,000 from $47,000. That’s largely a result of additional spending on promotions for the U.S. Bowling Congress Women’s Championships, which Baton Rouge will host in 2017.
Advertising placements are also scheduled to increase next year under the proposed budget, though the cost of advertising production will go down. VBR is planning to spend $30,000 on a new campaign in cooperation with the Baton Rouge Metro Airport, as well as $20,000 more on interactive marketing.
VBR is in the process of completing a new strategic plan, something it does every five years. The new plan, which will be unveiled either in December or January, will focus on “how can we better align ourselves with the community,” among other issues, Arrigo says. Depending on what the plan entails, the 2016 budget might have to be amended slightly during 2016.
“But we don’t anticipate any major changes,” Arrigo says.
Visit Baton Rouge’s full board will meet Dec. 10 to take up the budget.
—Stephanie Riegel
