Scott County visitors commission approves grants for local festivals, billboards and monument cleaning

The Scott County Visitors Commission approved several small grants and sponsorships at a regular meeting, agreeing to fund local festivals, reimburse billboard advertising for a restaurant, contract to clean a county-owned monument and back arts and civic events that the commission said will promote tourism.

The commission's Clerk presented the financial report showing receipts of $13,807.23 and expenditures of $11,742.59, leaving an ending balance read aloud as $676,466.14. The Clerk noted an additional $13,000 tax receipt reflected in the comparison copies provided to members.

Top approvals included a $40,000 allocation for Mayberry Days and a grant to Flat Creek Farms for advertising in the $7,500 range; a motion to approve the Flat Creek Farms funding was moved by a Committee member and seconded by the Chair and carried despite at least one voiced opposition over the size of the advertising commitment. The commission approved $8,000 for the Lexington Old Settlers festival (submitted by the Lexington Volunteer Fire Department) after members discussed an initial $15,000 figure and agreed to the lower amount.

The commission set a per-event reimbursement for the Indiana Cruisers at $200 per event, capped at four events (up to $1,400) and conditioned reimbursements on events actually occurring. Members also approved a billboard-reimbursement application from Chicago City Pizza for two billboards near Exit 28 and mile marker 30; the commission agreed to cover half the billboard cost plus up to $400 per board for artwork, with staff estimating the county share at roughly $6,800 for the first year.

On historic preservation, the commission agreed to hire a lower-cost contractor identified by staff to clean and restore the Pigeon Roost monument. The Presenter described the monument as in poor condition — "covered in verdigris and mold" — and members discussed that the county is responsible for the site; the motion to proceed with cleaning was moved and seconded and carried. (Transcript contains inconsistent figures for the cleaning cost; members discussed amounts described as both $22.50 and roughly $2,200.)

Members discussed and conditionally approved a youth art competition at Ruby Loft seeking up to $1,000 (breakdown discussed: $400 in prizes, $250 for printing/shirts and roughly $300 for refreshments and advertising). Commissioners said they supported the idea but requested a formal application; staff said the commission could vote digitally once the paperwork was submitted.

The commission also approved a $250 request to buy flowering baskets for the train depot and a $200 sponsorship for the Scottsburg High School Theatre Club's production of James and the Giant Peach. The meeting concluded after signature reminders and brief closing remarks.

Votes at a glance: Flat Creek Farms (advertising) — motion approved (moved by Committee member, seconded by Chair; at least one opposition noted); Mayberry Days — $40,000 approved; Lexington Old Settlers — $8,000 approved (reduced from $15,000); Indiana Cruisers — up to $1,400 (200 per event, up to 4 events) approved; Chicago City Pizza billboard reimbursement — approved (county to pay half plus artwork allowance up to $400 per board); Pigeon Roost monument cleaning — approved; Ruby Loft youth art competition — commission agreed in principle pending a formal application and paperwork; train depot flowers — $250 approved; Scottsburg High School Theatre Club sponsorship — $200 approved.

The commission did not take formal roll-call vote tallies for each item in the transcript; approvals and opposition are summarized from the meeting record. The Chair closed the meeting after members finished paperwork and logistics.