Tourism bureau's board OKs budget of $250,000

The tourism board will begin the membership application process.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The Trumbull County Tourism Bureau's board of directors has approved a preliminary 2006 budget of $250,300.
The budget reflects income of $250,000 from the county motel bed tax and $10,000 from estimated membership dues.
The preliminary budget was approved Thursday in the bureau's first meeting at its new offices in the historic Connecticut Land Office Building on Mahoning Avenue. The bureau had been located at the county board of elections building.
The majority of land sales for the Connecticut Western Reserve were transacted at the building, which the bureau is renting from the city for $100 a month.
The budget shows a surplus of $12,200.
It reflects $37,800 for the salary of a new executive director position the board is trying to fill. The amount assumes the director will be hired effective April 1, though the process will take longer.
The director will be paid an annual salary of $50,000.
Deadline this month
Board member David Smith said the deadline for accepting applications for the position is March 16, though it may be extended.
Nine applications have been received, and the board agreed to expand its search into the Columbus and Pittsburgh markets to attract younger professionals.
Recruiting has been done so far in trade publications and on Web sites.
Smith asked that interview questions be submitted by board members. Three or four finalists will be interviewed by board.
The board also agreed that the membership committee will begin putting a professional-type application together so the membership process can begin.
Dennis Malloy, membership committee chairman, wanted to delay the application process until after the director is hired.
Sharon Grover, another board member, said she believed members should be recruited now so they can inform the bureau what they want it to offer.
yovich@vindy.com