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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency services, April 18 Medford police seek new rules to stop sales of stolen goods Struggling to stay on track Central Point considers new fees for parks, school police People in Business Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services, April 18 Jurors see shocking conditions of accused serial killer's farm Emergency services Argument over stolen guns led to first shooting, Monica says Monica takes rare opportunity to cross-examine a witness in her double-murder trial Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Kent Bush: Clinton 2.0 is neither new nor improved Arthur I. 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Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Erickson shores up business with three contracts Lithia Motors shares break the $100 mark Agriculture New bosses take charge at Harry & David Dancin Vineyards covers up Broth maker leaves San Diego for Medford Opinion Latest Other Views: State Board of Education dragging its feet over Native American mascots Matthew T. Mangino: Mass incarceration enters the national consciousness Our View: Impeachment should be an option Letters to the Editor, April 17 Michael Gerson: Obama is desperately seeking a legacy Editorials Other Views: State Board of Education dragging its feet over Native American mascots Our View: Impeachment should be an option Our View: Gun background check bill is worth passing Our View: Don't expect a fix for I-5 viaduct through Medford anytime soon Our View: Minimum wage boost is no panacea Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, April 17 Letters to the Editor, April 16 Letters to the Editor, April 15 Letters to the Editor, April 14 Letters to the Editor, April 13 Columns Matthew T. Mangino: Mass incarceration enters the national consciousness Michael Gerson: Obama is desperately seeking a legacy Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Kent Bush: Memories of Oklahoma City bombing still fresh 20 years later George Will: Sustainability gone wild Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Removing barriers to walking, biking benefits everyone Guest Opinion: Conversion therapy on LGBT youth is child abuse Guest Opinion: Pot opponents have good reason for concern Guest Opinion: If Courtney kills bill, $15 minimum wage will go to the ballot Guest Opinion: Phoenix embraces Bee City USA designation Lifestyle Latest stories Official hopeful whooping cough case at John Muir contained 6 trout to know App Finder: Best Earth Day apps Health Watch: How to avoid the dreaded weight-loss plateau Fishing Report: Friday, April 17 Food Tammy Kelly: Soft-shell crab is in season Community blog: Orange-blossom water enhances honey syrup High on flavor, low on calories: Cookbook offers tasty options for people trying to eat healthier Prudence Hilburn: Test-kitchen products become ‘secret’ specialties Community blog: Leave fruits whole for crumbles in a time crunch Home and Garden Carol Link: Tea olive shrubs can be propagated from new growth 12 ways ceiling fans keep you comfortable and save cash Dear Monty: Profiting with adaptive re-use Paul Rogers: Schedule your time wisely Home Help: 3 upgrades to help give your bathroom spa-like panache Health Official hopeful whooping cough case at John Muir contained Health Watch: How to avoid the dreaded weight-loss plateau Book Notes: A big body is not a bad body Go get physical Community blog: Better Living By Design: A Symposium You Must Not Miss Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, April 17 Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Religion briefs: Friday, April 3 Religion briefs: Friday, March 27 Milestones and Achievements Charlesworth-Murphy Drizzle doesn't dampen Pear Blossom Parade spirit New Arrivals: Sunday, April 12 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Five picks for entertainment this week L.A. rockers The Relationship play Howiee's Joanne Rand at the Unitarian Fellowship Rogue Valley Symphony and 3 Leg Torso mingle classical with modern chamber music Third Fridays celebrates poetry, student art Theater Ashland New Plays Festival chooses new artistic director A tale of two plays at OSF Oregon Cabaret Theatre's "The Musical!" delivers five clever Broadway parodies in Ashland OCT stages 'The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)' Auditions for youth musical set at Camelot Music Alex de Grassi and Andrew York play SOU Live Music in Local Clubs L.A. rockers The Relationship play Howiee's Joanne Rand at the Unitarian Fellowship Rogue Valley Symphony and 3 Leg Torso mingle classical with modern chamber music Community Events Third Fridays celebrates poetry, student art 'BRAND,' 'Western' among Ashland Independent Film Festival award winners Ashland Co-Dependent Film Festival 2015 Pear Blossom Festival kicks off in Medford Ashland Independent Film Festival announces 2015 lineup Dining Siam Cafe offers 'mild' to 'very spicy' Thai cuisine Restaurant inspections, April 12, 2015 La Tapatia offers authentically delicious cuisine RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS: Sunday, April 5 The Laughing Clam in Grants Pass offers seafood-heavy menu Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Jurors see shocking conditions of accused serial killer's farm ... Monica claims she never acted on murderous thoughts ... Governor Brown says Oregon 'back on track' in State of the State address ... Jurors see shocking conditions of accused serial killer's farm ... Monica claims she never acted on murderous thoughts ... Governor Brown says Oregon 'back on track' in State of the State address ... MEDFORD Medford City Council at odds over Travel Medford contract City wants better accounting of marketing dollars By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 9, 2015 @ 5:39 pm Updated Apr 9, 2015 at 6:07 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 9, 2015 @ 5:39 pm Updated Apr 9, 2015 at 6:07 PM » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> A testy exchange erupted among City Council members Thursday over renewal of an increasingly expensive contract with Travel Medford, a division of the Medford/Jackson County Chamber of Commerce that helps market the city to attract tourists. Travel Medford, which shares staff and is housed in the offices of the chamber, receives about $750,000 annually from a 25 percent share of the lodging taxes received by the city. Some councilors said they wanted a clearer picture of Travel Medford’s finances, particularly how much of its budget goes to staff. Other councilors praised Travel Medford and the chamber for their work in marketing the city and questioned why the contract renewal has become such an issue. “Are you accusing the chamber of misusing funds?” Councilor Dick Gordon asked Councilor Daniel Bunn. “Where did that come from?” Bunn responded. Bunn said he just wants Travel Medford to provide a clearer accounting of its expenses, which he thinks is particularly important for a no-bid, five-year contract that will result in increasing amounts of money to Travel Medford as lodging taxes increase. “As their dollars increase, the financial reporting and scrutiny increases,” he said. Because the new contract is in limbo, Travel Medford has decided not to line up advertising and other contracts, some of which it books a year in advance. Travel Medford works closely with Medford Parks and Recreation to market events, including those at U.S. Cellular Community Park. Gordon and other councilors said Travel Medford does provide financial statements, just not in a format that the city uses. Travel Medford’s financial reporting exceeds the requirements of its existing contract, which expires in June. “Have we received the annual reports that are required?” Councilor Chris Corcoran asked Finance Director Alison Chan. “Yes, we receive them every year,” Chan said. Chan said she would prefer to get an accounting breakdown that matches those used by the city. Chan recommended to the council that the new contract with Travel Medford require competitive bidding for subcontractors who provide $5,000 or more in service. Chamber President Brad Hicks and Anne Jenkins of Travel Medford both said they already follow a competitive bid process but they would provide the information if the city wanted it. Councilor Tim Jackle said the city routinely opts out of its own rules about competitive bidding so he thought it would be a hardship to place that requirement on an outside firm. Corcoran said he didn’t think it appropriate to force Travel Medford to provide more information about bids. “Are we putting an undue burden on them to do this?” he asked. Councilor Kevin Stine said he wondered why government agencies disclose salaries but groups such as Travel Medford don't. “Why would one be transparent, and the other not transparent?” he asked. Hicks said the chamber would be happy to provide more information to the council. He said he estimated that the costs for salaries for Travel Medford totaled about $300,000, including benefits. “Nobody’s getting rich working in Travel Medford,” he said. Hicks said other communities, such as Bend, devote 30 percent of lodging taxes to a marketing effort, plus some additional dollars. “There’s a reason why their marketing stands out,” he said. Hicks said Travel Medford spends about $32,000 for the shared space at the chamber offices. About five Travel Medford employees are full-time, but several others, including Hicks, work part-time for the chamber and for Travel Medford. Councilors also wondered how much of Travel Medford’s budget is earmarked for marketing U.S. Cellular Community Park. Jenkins said about $12,000 annually is devoted to the park’s promotion, but she said it is difficult to quantify all the costs because she and others are promoting the park wherever they go. “It’s an everyday job,” she said. Mayor Gary Wheeler, who called for a temporary one-year extension of the contract with Travel Medford, said the issue will have to come back to the council at a later date before any action is taken. “This is a lot to digest,” he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at @reporterdm .   By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 9, 2015 @ 5:39 pm Updated Apr 9, 2015 at 6:07 PM » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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