City seeks applicants for commissioner

The city is accepting applications to fill positions for the Advertising & Promotion Commission.

The commission is made up of seven members — four representatives from tourism-related businesses within city limits, two members of the City Council or one City Council member and the mayor, and one resident at large. At least three of the four business owners or managers should be from lodging establishments or

restaurants.

Commissioners are appointed by the Bella Vista City Council. Terms will be staggered, with each of the four members from the tourism industry serving terms of one year, two years, three years and four years. Members can be reappointed at the end of the respective term, and then will serve four-year terms.

Other members will serve four-year terms from the start.

Terms will start July 1. The first meeting will take place at 3 p.m. Monday, July 17, at City Hall. Subsequent meeting dates and times will be determined by the commissioners at the first meeting. Initially meetings are expected to take place once a month and progress to every other month.

In accordance with the state Advertising and Promotion Commission Act, the A&P Commission has power and authority to determine the use of the city advertising and promotion fund.

The Bella Vista City Council earlier this year approved an ordinance to levy an A&P tax of 1 percent on prepared food and 2 percent on lodging stays of less than 30 days.

These funds can be used in a variety of ways in accordance with state law to promote tourism in Bella Vista.

Anyone interested in serving on the commission may submit an application. The deadline to apply is June 16. Applications should include the name of the applicant, the business name and address, a short description of the business and the best phone number at which to be reached. Include a brief description of why you are interested in serving on the commission.

Applications can be sent by email to Travis Stephens, tstephens@bellavistaar.gov, or by mail to City Hall, 101 Town Center, PO Box 5655, Bella Vista, AR 72715. Call City Hall with questions at 479-876-1255.