City Administrator Kathie Reyer presented a proposed contract with JLL Tourism, which could come to the city and analyze the city's current offerings, its population and what the city can improve to promote tourism. The expected cost of the contract is around $148,500, though Reyer said it is an initial estimate, and she hopes to lower it once the scope of the study is established.
"We will not sign a contract before coming back to council with that revised scope and revised estimated cost," Reyer said.
Reyer added the six-month study could direct the CVB for several years on ways to better promote travel to the city.
Shenandoah Mayor Ritch Wheeler questioned if the city needs to spend the money for the study, saying it would take quite some time in order to make the amount back based off of hotel tax collection in the city.
Shenandoah CVB Director John Mayner said the study could be used in the city's upcoming long-term strategic plan.
"We're getting all of these assets that we're talking about, [and] it helps us prepare as a city," Mayner said. "How do we want to map our growth going forward?"
Council member Ted Fletcher said he was hesitant because a similar study was done around 18 months ago to determine what would be done with the CVB, which cost around $43,000.
"I'm wondering if there is another option rather than spending $150,000," Fletcher said.
Council member Michael McLeod said he liked the idea of the study, as it would give the city better idea of big ideas, which were not delivered with the previous study.
The council unanimously authorized Reyer to negotiate the contract by to lower the cost before bringing it back to the council.
