Commissioners Back Off On Withholding Funds From TPA

Two weeks ago, Washington County Commissioners voted to withhold hotel tax revenues to the Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency. The vote did not count because notice of the action did not appear in an online agenda 24 hours prior to the vote being taken violating Sunshine Law requirements. Commissioner Chairman Nick Sherman vowed to have the vote taken again at the next voting meeting. At Tuesday’s agenda setting meeting, the item was on the agenda and Sherman requested that it be removed. Sherman stated that interim conversations with he and commissioner Electra Janis and WCTPA president Jeff Kotula, produced more clarity on the concerns that they had with the use of taxpayer funds by the WCTPA. When asked about the change of plans, Kotula said he was pleased to hear the news that the vote will not take place. He said it is important to him that an open dialogue continues with commissioners. Commissioner Larry Maggi is confused as to why commissioners continue to go down this path. He said that he has studied audits from the organization previously and this audit accurately reflects the financial position of the agency and is in line with state law and county requirements. Sherman did state that additional meetings with the WCTPA are scheduled in the near future.