Van Buren A&P sees improving trends; Sisters sets the pace

story by Marla Cantrell
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Maryl Koeth, executive director of the Van Buren Advertising and Promotions Commission, said her confidence in the economy is growing.  For the fourth consecutive month, tax receipts have exceeded those for the same time last year.

“I think we will end the year just slightly below budget, and slightly below last year,” Koeth said. “All things considered, I think we can live with that.”

Another sign of recovery is a decrease in the number of restaurants behind on payments owed to the A&P. This month, only two were 60 days in arrears.

“They seem to being paying faster when they get behind, and that is also a good sign,” Koeth said.

But only one restaurant – the first of only two in the city selling alcohol – has ridden out the recession without a drop in sales.

“Sisters (Bistro) was the only restaurant in the city that continued to see an increase,” Koeth said. “They did not see a decrease at all. They’ve expanded, they’re doing more catering, and they heavily promote themselves.”

Chili’s, which got its private club license in March, is also showing an increase of “a couple hundred dollars” in tax revenue each month. That amount is based on food sales only; the commission does not collect on alcohol sales.

Even with that newfound confidence, Koeth is not willing to anticipate higher tax revenues for 2011. In the proposed budget, which will be voted on next month, Koeth said she is keeping the number exactly as it is for this year: $393,571.

In other business, the 2010 budget was revised to address a change in a $15,000 donation originally designated to improve the Diamond Center girls softball field, which is owned by the county. But the city has now offered to host the girls softball association on the Field of Dreams. Koeth recommended decreasing the donation to $10,000, due to the tight budget, and using that amount to improve the softball fields at the Field of Dreams.

The 2011 media plan, totaling $179,099, was also approved. Next month, the commission will vote on its operating budget for next year.

Finally, the commission nominated, and then voted in, its officers for 2011. There are no changes in the roster. Debbie Foliart will again be the chairperson, Rusty Myers will serve as the vice chairperson, and Mary Ann Dodd will serve another year as treasurer.