Of that $1.1 million, state statute entitles the bureau to receive $625,000 in transient room tax — two-thirds of the money collected by the county, Racker said.

In addition, the UVCVB is asking for approximately $484,000 in restaurant tax funds, an increase of about $173,000 from from 2005.

"The purpose of (the funding increase) is (so) that we can continue the momentum and promote tourism at the same level we were doing in '05 but with further reach," Racker said.

County Commissioner Jerry Grover said the county is still "working through our budget," which is scheduled to go before the commission for approval on Dec. 6.

A half-dozen local businessmen and businesswomen in the hotel, tourism and travel industries also spoke in support of the bureau and the sales-mixed-with-marketing approach it has taken since becoming a private entity.

"It kind of reiterates what we've been saying: We're headed in the right direction," Garfield said.

---

E-mail: jpage@desnews.com