SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) - The Scottsbluff City Council has reduced its funding commitment to the local zoo, a commitment that includes a contingency clause for further cuts if city sales tax revenue were to drop.
The agreement approved Monday night runs for five years at $300,000 a year, a drop of $50,000 yearly from the 10-year commitment that ends in September next year. The $350,000 a year was becoming unsustainable because of lower sales tax revenue and city spending increases, city officials have said.
Riverside director Anthony Mason said fundraisers and private donations could make up the funding difference. Any further reduction of funding would have to be approved by a three-fourths vote of the City Council.
Scottsbluff City Manager Nathan Johnson said the hope is that by investing in the zoo, the returning tourism dollars will stimulate city’s sales tax revenue.
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