It also means the Peachtree City Airport Authority will be eligible to receive some five months of back guest tax revenue held in escrow while the Tourism Association's status was being determined by the feds.

Airport Authority Chairman Cathy Nelmes said last week she estimated about $50,000 was due the board that operates Falcon Field; last fall, the authority had earmarked those funds for repairs to the main terminal building, expansion of hangar space and paving of Stallings Road, all projects that can now proceed.

The Airport Authority receives about 13 percent of the total hotel-motel tax collections. One-third of the collections go straight to the city's general fund cofffers, and the rest will now be in the hands of the Tourism Association to do with as it sees fit.

Right off the top, the Tourism Association intends to pay back the city $57,000 it borrowed late last year for operating expenses, money it never really had to tap into because of strong revenues from both the Fred Brown Jr. Amphitheater and Peachtree City Tennis Center.

Both venues are operating well within the black so far this year. Tourism Association Chairman Steve Rapson said the group doesn't anticipate having to tap into hotel-motel tax money to run either facility, which will free up about $280,000 in funds to apply to tourism-related expenses within the city.

Among the proposals: Take responsibility for costs involved in the city's annual Fourth of July festivities out of the city's regular budget and give them to the Tourism Association. In theory, that would free up extra funds in the city's budget for other needs.

Also, the original Tennis Center clubhouse and pro shop, which has gone unused since expansion was completed two years ago, may be utilized as a full-time city welcome center, Rapson said.

The Tourism Association took the opportunity last week during the annual city retreat to brag on its accomplishments, barey 10 weeks after taking over the tennis center and Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater.

Among the accomplishments outlined in a press release:

- The PCTA has created a self-sufficient balanced budget for the Amphitheater and the Tennis Center and developed a capital assets inventory assessment for the two venues.

-�The PCTA Board of Directors worked with Tennis Center management to refine membership rates and programs for 2004, negotiated and awarded a pro-shop contract as well as a new Agreement with the center's signature restaurant, The Ashland Grille.

-�Sales for the Amphitheater's Summer Concert Series continue to go exceedingly well and the venue expects record sales for the season as it celebrates its 10th anniversary.

Additionally, the PCTA has established several Standing Committees to oversee key business functions. The Financial Policies Committee is responsible for financial and budgetary policies and procedures. The Personnel Policies Committee is overseeing a personnel pay and compensation study and developing personnel policies. And the Special Events Committee works with venue management and other City commissions such as the Recreation Commission to oversee and manage special events hosted by the city of Peachtree City.

To establish its future goals and objectives, the PCTA is developing a Strategic Marketing Plan and has enlisted Debbie Britt of Britt Ideas in Peachtree City. This comprehensive plan will provide support to PCTA's overall business objectives and the goals of each of its operating venues. The plan will also build a tourism strategy that outlines the type of amenities, attractions, and events, that are aligned with upholding Peachtree City's high quality of life standards.