The Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau is in “great shape” financially, according to a 2009 audit presented to board members by CPA Ken Halford at a meeting Thursday evening.

The tourism promotion agency had expected an approximately $300,000 operating deficit last year, but ended up about $134,000 in the red. The VCVB ended 2008 about $334,000 in the black, primarily due to the sale of its former office building downtown, and it began ramping up advertising last year. The bureau posted a net operating gain of approximately $218,000 in 2007.

The 1 percent sales tax revenue the VCVB receives from all restaurant sales and hotel stays in the city accounted for 99.4 percent of the bureau’s total 2009 revenue, or $1,030,512. Expenses were $1,170,663 — of which advertising accounted for 44 percent. Administrative salaries and office expenses accounted for most of the remainder.

At the end of 2009, the VCVB had about $682,000 cash on hand, and total assets of slightly more than $1 million, the audit showed.

The bureau is operating on an approximately $1.2 million budget this year, including $225,000 in its checking account. About $470,000 is budgeted for administrative salaries and office expenses. Advertising spending is expected to be $575,000 — a 26 percent rise over budgeted advertising in 2009.

The VCVB is charged with promoting tourism, events and conventions in the city. It’s 11-member board is appointed by the Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen and the Warren County Board of Supervisors.

The bureau has conducted all official business from a manufactured home behind its visitor’s center at 3300 Clay St. for more than two years, and is planning to move its executive offices into the Levee Street Depot late next year. The depot is being renovated into a transportation museum and office spaces, and the VCVB is contributing $150,000 toward the project as part of the deal with the city, which owns the depot.

Board members present at Thursday’s meeting were Annette Kirklin, Lamar Roberts, Myra Logue, David Day, Shirley Waring, Rocky Smith, Willie Glasper, Betty Bullard and Patty Cappaert.

Thursday, they also

• OK’d meeting minutes from June 17, financial statements for June and a request for $1,250 by the Beulah Cemetery Restoration Committee for a video documentary project in conjunction with local students.

• Discussed revisions and corrections to the visitor’s guide in preparation of a second printing of 50,000 guides.

• In closed session, discussed a personnel matter, but reported no action taken.