Hotel tax revenues see ‘incredible increase’ as Taylor County approves events venue budget

By Makalah Wright

On Sept. 9, the Taylor County Commissioners Court held its first meeting of the month.

Commissioner Chuck Statler spoke about the budget of the 2025-2026 Abilene-Taylor County Events Venue District. With Statler being the Chair of the Bureau Board, he noted that the board received presentations on the finances for the upcoming fiscal year, as well as the proceeds that correlates with the spending. For the remaining funds, Statler said, “The distribution is 50% for Taylor County Expo Center and 50% for Frontier Texas.”

Director of Finance Marjorie Knight also discussed more about the budget. “We’ve seen an incredible increase in hotel occupancy tax revenues for the district,” she said. “According to the bylaws, the Commissioners Court and the Abilene City Council do need to approve their budget before (it) can become effective.”

The commissioners touched upon the grant application for repairs in regards to the Soil and Water Conservation District, as well as the addition of a non-SWCD sponsor. Gary Bomar, who is the clerk of Middle Clear Fork SWCD, discussed the sponsors of SWCD and the funds needed for the organization to receive their grant. Through the flood control structure repair grant program, the SWCD is creating applications to address issues that were identified by engineers. Also, the Greenlee Site conservation dams need a repair for a broken diversion terrace, which will help the water move freely and restructure the dam model.

After discussing the total amounts and the appropriate funding needed for the grants, the commissioners all agreed for the grant process to onboard.

TXO Resources Manager Laddie Galloway presented an item seeking approval of a memorandum of lease with Titan Towers LP for use of property at the Taylor County Expo, allowing the lease to renew and extend for nine additional five-year extension periods, with each beginning upon the expiration of the term. It will also give the lease record notice about the terms and conditions. Within the past year, Galloway has managed to get the lease passed in federal court and submitted a letter that mentioned the memorandum.

After discussing the matter with Galloway, the commissioner approved the memorandum of the lease to go into full effect.