BOSCOBEL - It was a short meeting, and a cheerful one: In just over half-an-hour, Boscobel’s Room-Tax Planning and Appropriation Commission handed out $55,500 in tourism grants, and adjourned to smiles and a chorus of “thank you’s.”

A five percent room tax on hotels and other tourist accommodations in the city funds the commission, which disburses the proceeds to organizations and events designed to bring tourists to town to fill those beds in the future.

This year, the fund had a carry-over balance of $23,186 and earned an additional $39,689 in new revenues. After the grants are paid out, the projected balance will stand at $686 to carry over to the next cycle. The actual figure will depend on occupancy.

The following organizations and projects were funded:

Wisconsin River Trails Organization: $1,000 for the Good Ol’ Fashioned Barn Dance featuring Bobby G. Rice on June 3.

GAR Hall: $4,500 toward operating expenses and repairs, to support public tours of the historic building.

Depot Museum: $4,000 to fund Depot Day and the events and exhibits related to Boscobel’s Sesquicentennial Celebration.

Farmers’ Market: $3,000 toward operating expenses.

Boscobel Chamber of Commerce: $20,000 toward operating expenses, including the Firecracker Run/Walk, Golf Outing, Trunk or Treat, and Christmas in Boscobel.

Boscobel Antique Club: $1,000 toward the Smoke in the Valley Tractor Pull on June 30.

Sesquicentennial Committee: $20,000 to fund free events during the July 1 through 8 celebrations.