August 7, 2023

(PERRYSBURG, OH) - Mayor Tom Mackin has made his recommendation to City council on how to establish funding stability for the Farmers Market and other events that attract visitors to Perrysburg. The Mayor's recommendation is to increase the Hotel Tax by 2%. View the Mayor's memo to City Council here.

Recently, the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) Board voted to discontinue managing the Farmers Market after the 2023 season unless it was paid more for providing that service. Earlier this year, the CVB also discontinued support for the Sculpture Walk at Woodlands Park, the Independence Day Fireworks, Winterfest, and partial support for Zip the Burg. 

The CVB has proposed a five-year agreement at $150,000 a year plus a waiver of safety and service fees (approximately $17,000/year) to run the Market and other events. While the administration appreciates the CVB’s efforts, it is unable to accept the offer. Due to the size and scope of the proposal, the City must follow procurement procedures through a formal competitive process prior to entering into any formal agreement. 

The CVB has also expressed that it wants to move away from event management to focus on increasing hotel stays. Mayor Tom Mackin has encouraged the CVB to continue to engage in the process as it has been a critical part of the Farmers Market’s success. 

“I want to thank the CVB for its efforts to promote Perrysburg. While I disagree with their change in focus, I know that it will support efforts to make sure the Market and other events will continue to be viable moving forward,” said Mayor Mackin. 

While City administration was considering the CVB’s offer, several issues were brought up on how to fund events that attract visitors to Perrysburg. The administration believes that the money should not come out of the City’s General Fund which is funded by taxpayers. Instead, the administration recommends increasing the Lodging Excise Tax (Hotel Tax) by 2% to provide a stable ongoing funding source specifically for events. Because these events promote Perrysburg and attract visitors from around the region, the administration believes that the burden for paying to continue the events should be on visitors, not on Perrysburg residents.  

Once funding is established, the administration can move forward in the procurement process for an organization to manage public events. The City will also review what can be managed internally.  

“Administration will be working with city council this month to put a plan into place to ensure the continued success of the Farmers Market and to provide a funding mechanism to support other community events that make Perrysburg a wonderful place to live and visit,” said Mayor Mackin. 

Perrysburg’s Finance Committee will review the proposal at its meeting on Tuesday, August 8 at 5:30 p.m. The administration recommends that it then be moved to the full city council on August 15 for a first reading.