Formalize the funding mechanism of the Tourism Office. The office also has a number of specific projects planned for the next year and beyond. One would help enhance the downtown area. Oxley said the tourism office has began a feasibility study to create a self-taxing municipal improvement district in the downtown commercial district. He defines this area as a place where extra tax dollars, paid by businesses and groups there, are used to create specific improvements such as street scapes and parking improvements, for maintenance or to retire debt service within the district.
Participation is quasi-voluntary.
The state of Iowa has statutes that govern municipal improvement districts, Oxley said. The Channel Cat may make an one day appearance at this year s Tug Fest, scheduled for Aug. 9-11. The office is also planning a number of smaller festivals that include the First Friday festival on June 1. These festivals will allow local residents and visitors to meet, mingle and relax from 5 p.m. to dusk. The June 1 festival will be hosted by the LeClaire Chamber of Commerce.