Sonora Texas HOT Application

Apply for Hotel/Motel Occupany Tax Funds

Please read carefully the Hotel Occupany Tax (hereon refered to as 'HOT') guidelines before completing this application. The guidelines provide an explanation of the "two-part" test as well as the nine (9) categories of activities that govern how revenue from the HOT may be used. Click here to view / download a copy of the guidelines.

The document also describes the criteria on which applications will be evaluated and the required documentation that must be submitted with each application. As a condition of accepting grant funds, the applicant agrees to provide the City of Sonora with a full financial accounting of the event within sixty (60) days of the event's conclusion.

Part I - Organization Information

Name of Organization: Physical Address (street): City / State / Zip: Contact Name

(First)

(Last)

Website Address for Event or Sponsoring Entity: Applicant Status

Non-Profit or For-Profit Status

Tax ID#

Entity's Creation Date: Purpose of Organization:

Part II - Event / Project Information

Name of Event or Project: What date will promotion and marketing of this event / program begin:

(MM)

(DD)

(YYYY)

Primary Location of Event or Project: Total Event or Project Budget: Total Event or Project Funding Requested from HOT Funds: Percentage of Total Event or Project Funding Requested from HOT Funds: 1.) Primary Purpose of Funded Activity / Facility: 2.) How will your proposed activity directly promote tourism and the convention and hotel industry? If you can estimate the anticipated number of hotel rooms utilized for the activity, please do so: 3.) How will your proposed activity meet one of the other required criteria described in Chapter 351.101 of the Texas Tax Code and listed in this Policy under "Authority & Purpose" (pages 1 and 2)? 4.) How else will your proposed activity be beneficial to the City of Sonora, the Sonora community and/or the Sonora hotel, convention and tourism industry? 5.) How many years have you held this Event or Project? 6.) Expected Attendance: 7.) Please list any other organizations, government entities, and grants that have offered financial support to your project:

Part III - Promotional Efforts

Please list the promotion eforts your organization is coordinating, and the amount financially committed to each avenue:

Newspaper (please list amount $): Radio (please list amount $): Social Media (please list amount $): TV (please list amount $): Other Paid Advertising (please list amount $): Number of Media Releases to out-of-town outlets: Number of Direct Mailings to out-of-town recipients:

Part IV - Additional Information

What geographic areas does your advertising and promotion reach?: If the funding requested is related to a permanent facility (e.g. museum), what is the expected attendance? Please specify MONTHLY and ANNUAL attendance separately. What percentage of visitors stay at area hotels / lodging facilities:

Submitting Your Application

Completed copies of your application can be submitted via USPS mail, in person at 205 HWY 277 N, Sonora, TX 76950, or via email.

In addition to completing the fields above, applicants are required to separately complete, attach, and submit the HOTs Contract. Failure to attach this contract will result in HOTs application dismissal. Applicants must also include a copy of the organization's most recent financial statement.

Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Guidelines

SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION
Application forms are available online at sonoratexas.org or may be picked up at the Chamber of Commerce office. Applicants must submit a completed application and provide required support documentation.

Completed applications will be accepted via email or may be delivered to the Chamber of Commerce office.

Multiple applications from a group will be accepted. However, each event / program must have a separate application and budget.