Parks Director/Tourism Secretary Summer Chambers updated commission members on the recent 2024 Solar Express. She said the events had pretty good turnouts, not the numbers of tourists in town that were expected, but good turnouts all the same, consisting of both local residents and visiting tourists. Tourism Chair, Sharon Caldwell, and commission member, Mayor Don Still, both complimented the planning committee’s efforts in facilitating the events and said that they were pleased with the results as well. 

Chambers also gave a Train Day update and listed the events slated for the day. She said there will be the usual rib cookoff, car show, kids zone, and musical events, but also added this year will be a magic show, the train/boxcar contest, and a performer who can make balloon animals for the kids. She said that, as of now, 19 vendors are scheduled to be here that day and more are expected to sign up in the weeks to come. Train Day will be May 4th in downtown Hope. 

In other business, City Manager JR Wilson presented to the commission information regarding A&P taxes and public meetings. He recommended that the commission use a number system to discuss specific entities who haven’t paid taxes so commission members can still do their jobs in enforcing and collecting the A&P taxes while the entities’ names remain private. The commission accepted the recommendation and began using the system in following discussions.