Bluffton council voted to give $5,000 to the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce this year.

Gen Akroyd, chamber director, made the request at the Jan. 23 council meeting. She said that the village collects hotel-motel taxes to promote the village and that the chamber would like $5,000 for promotional purposes.

Phill Talavinia asked if there is enough to also support Bluffton Center For Entreprenuers, which has also asked and received $5,000 annually for the past three years.

BCE has not yet asked for its village hotel-motel tax allotment.

Nancy Kindle, village fiscal officer, said that the tax revenues go to the general fund and wasn't certain of the specific amount generated. She said that she believes the tax generates from between $10,000 to $15,000 annually, which should be enough to also support BCE's anticipated 2017 request.

Asked what the chamber would do with the funds, Akroyd mentioned that there are no specific plans however, the chamber has a #OHBluffton campaign, a signage program for a possible billboard and a program to provide village businesses with maps of the community to assist persons from the outside in need of directions.

Roger Warren moved to support the chamber with the $5,000 request and Joe Sehlhorst added a second.