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Ms. Crystal Johnson with the Batesville Chamber of Commerce addressed the council with a <br /> proposal. Ms. Johnson said that several area leaders are requesting the Chamber hire a <br /> Director of Tourism to help promote Batesville and Independence County. Ms. Johnson said <br /> the Chamber does not have the funds to hire the position so she is asking the City to pledge <br /> an additional $10,000 to help in the funding. The City currently contracts with the Chamber for <br /> $10,000 for grant writing. Ms. Johnson said the new position will also do the grant writing. <br /> She said she is also asking the County to contribute $20,000 for the position. The Mayor said <br /> a budget meeting was scheduled after the council meeting and her request would be <br /> considered at that time. <br /> C) REQUEST FROM THE AIRPORT COMMISSION <br /> Airport Commissioners Charles Barnett and Karl Kemp addressed the council with a funding <br /> request. The Airport was awarded a State grant to take paving to a new hanger and install <br /> sewer at the Airport. Mr. Barnett explained that the grant is a 80/20 match with most of the <br /> 20% match being in-kind work from the City and County. The 80% is only reimbursed after the <br /> job is complete. The airport will have to pay the 80% then submit canceled checks to the State <br /> for reimbursement. They said the Airport will need a loan of about $160,000 to $200,000. In <br /> the past the Commission had received a loan from White River Planning and Development at a <br /> fairly good interest rate. This year, the Commission would like to borrow the money from the <br /> City, therefore saving the interest. The loan should be paid back in full in approximately 90- <br /> 120 days. Ms. Johnston said she had discussed the loan with the auditors and they said it <br /> would be fine to borrow the money from the Utility A&I account. Ms. Johnston said she could <br /> easily keep up with the accounting part of the loan. Councilmember Bryant moved to loan the <br /> money to the Airport out of the Utility A&I account. Councilmember Matthews seconded and <br /> all voted for. <br /> D) CITY ATTORNEY LINDSEY CASTLEBERRY WITH HIS CITY ATTORNEY REPORT <br />