Tourist Commission Approves $2.1 Million Budget For New Fiscal Year
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Robert Moore
Herald Staff
[email protected]
The Harrodsburg Mercer County Tourist Commission approved a budget of more than $2.1 million for the 2027 Fiscal Year, which starts July 1.
At their regular meeting on Wednesday, June 10, the tourist commission gave second reading to a budget almost twice the size of the $1.2 million they approved last year. The increase comes mainly from the tourist commission’s takeover of Anderson-Dean Community Park, which will go into effect on Oct. 1, which will be three-fourths of the fiscal year.
According to information the tourist commission provided the Harrodsburg Herald, proposed total marketing expenses amounted to almost $1.2 million, including $210,250 for sponsorships and grants, $210,00 for events, $75,000 for beautification and $500,000 for infrastructure and park upgrades.
The budget also includes operating expenses of $769,634, with the majority of that going to Anderson-Dean, including $554,784 to the park and another $144,750 to the pool.
The tourist commission’s total budget for Anderson-Dean is $699,534, with Mercer County Fiscal Court contributing $150,000 and the City of Harrodsburg contributing $132,300 in the upcoming fiscal year.
On the revenue side, the tourist commission projects taking in $840,000 on the restaurant tax in Fiscal Year 2027, and another $185,000 from the room tax. To balance the budget, the tourist commission is transferring $520,459 from reserves.
At Wednesday’s meeting, Executive Director Daarik Gray reviewed the changes made to the budget since they reviewed the last draft. Gray told the board he’d tried to bring the revenue down and expenses up to be on the safe side. Both the city commission and the fiscal court have given second reading to the interlocal agreement giving the tourist commission control over Anderson-Dean operations. Gray said they were waiting on approval from the Kentucky Department of Local Government. When the commission will take over Anderson-Dean on Oct. 1, Gray said they would be taking over the park after the fall revenue had been collected. He said Anderson-Dean will collect checks from the city, county and the tourist commission on July 1, the first day of the new fiscal year.
Anderson-Dean draws more than 400,000 visits a year, but it has consistently struggled to operate on its budget. Tourist commission board members discussed ways to make the park earn its keep, including higher field rental fees and more sponsorships. Board member Jay Anderson said the park should be charging at least $500 for four by eight signs at the ballfields.
“I don’t care to turn the park into NASCAR,” Anderson said.
Gray said Events Coordinator/Community Development Coordinator Kaitlyn Harder will begin to set up meetings with possible sponsors.
