Program C: Welcome Centers

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Program C: Welcome Centers

Program Authorization: R.S. 36:4; 36:301; 51:1252; Act 624 of 1993

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The mission of Louisiana's Welcome Centers, located along major highways entering the state, is to provide direct information to visitors upon their entry into the state. It is the goal of the program to prolong the stay of the many visitors who enter the state on these highways. There is only one activity in this program: Welcome Centers.

OBJECTIVES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

1. The Welcome Centers Program will provide information to visitors which will result in extending their average stay in Louisiana from 3 nights to 3.5 nights by 2003.

1 Renovation construction projects at the state's Welcome Centers have significantly reduced the number of visitors from the anticipated level. continuing renovation and adjacent highway construction are projected to lower visitation next year also.

RESOURCE ALLOCATION FOR THE PROGRAM

SOURCE OF FUNDING

This program is funded with Fees and Self-generated Revenues which are derived from the Louisiana Tourism Promotion District. Act 1038 of the 1990 Regular Session of the Legislature created the Louisiana Tourism Promotion District which receives 3/100 of 1 cent of the sales and use tax. These proceeds are then transferred to the Office of Tourism for out-of-state advertising, and promoting tourism in Louisiana.

ANALYSIS OF RECOMMENDATION

GENERAL FUND	TOTAL	T.O.	DESCRIPTION

$0	$1,623,328	42	ACT 18 FISCAL YEAR 1997-1998

			BA-7 TRANSACTIONS:
$0	$13,242	0	Carryforward for eight 20 gallon trash can/ash tray combination for the I-10 West Welcome Center in Slidell; one floor mat runner; and ninety draw string plastic litter bags

$0	$1,636,570	42	EXISTING OPERATING BUDGET - December 10, 1997

$0	($13,242)	0	Nonrecurring Carryforward for eight 20 gallon trash can/ash tray combination for the I-10 West Welcome Center in Slidell; one floor mat runner; and ninety draw string plastic litter bags
$0	($42,000)	0	Equipment/Major Repairs Adjustment(s)
$0	($3,457)	0	Annualization of 1997 -'98 Merit Pay Adjustment(s)
$0	$18,980	0	1998 -'99 Merit Pay Adjustment(s)
$0	($15,968)	0	Attrition Adjustment(s)
$0	($4,571)	0	Retirement Rate Adjustment(s)
$0	$200,000	0	Provide sixteen hour per day security at the following Welcome Centers: I-10 W, I-10 E, I-20 E and I-20 W

$0	$1,860,312	42	TOTAL RECOMMENDED

$0	($223,742)	0	DIFFERENCE (TOTAL RECOMMENDED AND EXISTING OPERATING BUDGET)

The total means of financing for this program is recommended at 113.7% of the existing operating budget. It represents 98.9% of the total request ($1,880,851) for this program. The 13.7% increase above the existing operating budget is due to providing funds for replacement equipment and major repairs, merit increases, and providing for 16 hour a day security at four welcome centers located at I10 Westbound at Slidell, I-10 Eastbound at Vinton, I20 Eastbound at Greenwood, and I-20 Westbound at Mound. The security being provided to these four welcome centers is due to increasing vandalism, ongoing instances of violence, sexual misconduct and other unwanted activities.

The Total Recommended amount above includes $342,262 of Supplementary Recommendations of which $0 is State General Fund for the 16 hour per day security at the above four welcome centers and acquisitions and major repairs.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

This program does not have any funding for Other Charges in Fiscal Year 1998-1999.

OTHER CHARGES

$200,000		To provide security nighttime services for 4 welcome centers

$200,000		TOTAL OTHER CHARGES

ACQUISITIONS AND MAJOR REPAIRS

$14,200		Replace welcome center furniture, i.e., desk chair, sofa, coffee table, end table, photocopier, floor mat/runner, file cabinet, lamps, etc.
$48,062		New equipment, i.e., easel with holder, sofa table, folding stacking chairs, bookcase, file cabinets, coat rack, umbrella stand, paintings/prints for lobby, and 3 to 5 kiosks
$80,000		Replace gutters on main building and install gutters at new rest room building at I-20 Eastbound (Greenwood); replace drapes, blinds and hardware for lobby (New Orleans Welcome Center); replace sidewalks, heating unit and leave a double-wide mobile office and necessary utility hookup/transfer at I-10 Eastbound (Vinton); and enclose left side of building, paint exterior and interior of building, building storage cabinets in men's rest room at U.S. 84 (Vidalia), etc.

$142,262		TOTAL ACQUISITIONS AND MAJOR REPAIRS

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