Gage County gives 90‑day notice to Beatrice Area Chamber to open tourism contract discussions

The Gage County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 on May 14 to give the Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce formal 90-day notice under the existing contract so county staff and the chamber can open discussions about the tourism‑coordination agreement.

Angie Bruna, executive director of the Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce and tourism coordinator, told the board the chamber and tourism budgets are maintained separately and that the tourism coordinator role is currently 1.0 full-time equivalent, with about 75% of that position’s salary paid from tourism funding and the remaining portion covered by the chamber. Bruna said the chamber already participates in regional tourism partnerships and places digital and print advertising using tourism funds.

Supervisor Adams said past remarks by the county’s economic-development director prompted the discussion and that tourism work often overlaps with economic-development goals. The board appointed a subcommittee (Supervisors Adams, Haxby and Lytle were discussed as potential members, with Supervisor Adams to chair) to begin conversations. Members emphasized the action is procedural and asked the chamber time to prepare for substantive discussion.

Supervisor comments stressed transparency because lodging-tax revenue supporting tourism is public money. Bruna said she would share budget detail and advertising examples with the board and that the chamber would engage its board before any changes.

What’s next: County counsel will send the formal 90-day notice to the Beatrice Area Chamber; the appointed subcommittee will schedule meetings to review budgets, staffing allocation between chamber and tourism, and options for future governance.