Program Description

  Conference Center

Prior to FY06, the Conference Center NDA primarily provided for pre-opening expenses. Since the Conference Center opened in November 2004, the NDA has expanded its scope to fund:

• a full-time position to manage the operational and fiscal oversight of the Conference Center complex;
• non-routine repairs, alterations, improvements, renewals, and replacements; and
• the designated reserve required by the management agreement with Marriott International, Inc.

Funding is also included to reimburse the contractor for costs not covered by operations during accounting periods when losses occur. These costs will be offset by contractor payments to the County during accounting periods with operating gains. To ensure fiscal and operational accountability, a management audit is conducted every two years and the program budget is increased by $50,000 during the year such audit is scheduled. Revenues consisting of net operating income from the Conference Center and land rent from the hotel are deposited into the general fund. Twenty percent of the County's net proceeds from Conference Center operations is retained for investment in marketing and facility improvements to increase Conference Center usage. All proposed investment expenditures are reviewed and approved by the Conference Center Management Committee.