Washington County Commissioners dealt a heavy blow to the Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency (WCTPA) at their meeting Thursday morning. The board voted two to one to withhold future hotel tax disbursements until the agency provides documentation necessary to satisfy concerns regarding financial transparency and accountability. Democrat Larry Maggi cast the no vote but tells WJPA News that they will have to vote again on the measure since it was not included in the online version of the agenda. State law requires that it be placed on the county’s website 24-hours prior to the voting meeting to allow the public to review it. County solicitor Gary Sweat says commissioners will vote on it again when they meet May 15. Commissioners say they issued a letter to WCTPA Executive Director Jeff Kotula, requesting organizational and financial documents that would show that the hotel tax dollars – which are the public funds collected by the county – are being managed and utilized in a transparent and responsible manner. Kotula, however, is denying that his agency has refused to release the records. He says they have provided commissioners with the requested information and have also met with them and reached out to them, inviting the board to visit their offices and review documents. Kotula says he was completely blindsided by this decision and called it very poor timing because the start of the summer tourist season begins this weekend. Kotula says they do have some money in reserve but that has been earmarked for events and activities for the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh next year. Maggi told WJPA that he believes his colleagues want to take over the agency and have the county decide where the tourism funds are spent. Sherman, however, has denied that, saying he simply wants more information from the agency.