The Natrona County Travel and Tourism Council approved a draft budget during its annual meeting Tuesday in Casper.

According to a published budget summary, the budget, which includes marketing and advertising and operations expenses, totaled $1,102,355.

Marketing and advertising received $1,002,205 in funding, while operations are expected to cost only $100,150. Most of the council's budget goes to tourism, said Kathy Henion, the assistant manager for the Casper Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

"That's our whole mission, to bring folks into Casper," she said.

The Travel and Tourism council is a joint powers board. Its mission is to enhance the economic base of Natrona County through tourism, with a primary objective to encourage more and longer visitor stays through marketing programs aimed at the convention/meeting, individual, motorcoach and special events markets.

The council receives funding from a 3-percent lodging tax, collected by all hotels in Natrona County, campgrounds, bed and breakfasts, and other lodging facilities. The tax was designed so that people traveling from outside of Natrona County would take on most of the tourism funding burden. Long-term residents of hotels and motels (30 days or more, paid in advance) are not subject to the lodging tax.

Officers for the council were also elected during Tuesday's meeting. Reeda George, formerly vice chairwoman, will act as chairwoman. Lisa Sanborn will act as vice chairwoman, Beverly Vanhorn as secretary, and Sven George will remain treasurer of the council.

The council's regular public meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month. The next public meeting date is scheduled for Aug. 26.

Contact reporter Megan Lee at (307) 266-0589 or megan.lee@trib.com