The DuPage County Finance Committee approved a $75,000 appropriation from ARPA interest for the DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB) hotel transportation grant program during the Dec. 9 session, after a lengthy discussion about administrative costs, return on investment and municipal equity.

Beth Barkutti addressed members’ questions about the program’s administration and reach. When asked whether the $6,700 administration fee represented outsourcing, Barkutti said staff and accounting work are required: "The admin for us, I have to pay an accountant. We have to write checks. We have to vet the business... so I have about 3 staff people that have to look at all this," she said, explaining the fee covers internal administration.

Board members sought to understand how many hotels benefited and the program's economic impact. A member cited prior results saying "42 hotels benefited" and mentioned a claim of approximately $1,978,000 in room revenue returned relative to the county's investment. Some members wanted clarity on ARPA interest balances; county staff said the $75,000 had been accounted for and that unallocated ARPA interest was zero at that time.

The discussion also touched on equity between home-rule and non-home-rule municipalities for hotel-tax allocation and whether the visitors bureau’s program disproportionately benefits certain hotels; DCVB representatives said the grant previously reached hotels countywide and helped shift bookings from out-of-county locations.

After questions and explanation, the committee voted in favor of the $75,000 appropriation by voice vote.