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Walton TDC to proceed with consultant-led strategic plan; council disputes composition of steering committee
Summary
The Tourist Development Council reviewed JLL’s strategic planning scope and debated whether a steering committee should be open to the public or limited to a small appointed group. Several council members said the TDC itself should act as the steering body; staff confirmed three public workshops are included in the consultant scope.
The Walton County Tourist Development Council discussed next steps for a consultant-led strategic planning process and whether to establish a separate steering committee.
Staff said JLL (the consultant) conducted site visits and recommended forming a steering committee of about 12–15 people to act as a sounding board. JLL told staff that the steering committee can speed the process and provide focused input but warned that having an externally appointed committee could trigger public‑meeting (Sunshine Law) requirements and inhibit frank, tactical discussion.
Several council members objected to an external steering committee. “I actually am opposed to having a steering committee that's outside,” a council member said, arguing that the TDC members were appointed to represent industry and should serve as the steering committee. Another council member said they had received calls from citizens asking why the council would not do the work itself.
Staff confirmed the consultant scope includes three publicly noticed workshops in addition to stakeholder interviews, surveys and outreach. Staff said JLL will reconvene with the TDC next week to confirm the approach and begin contact with the proposed steering‑committee participants or, if the council prefers, to proceed with the TDC as the steering body.
Why it matters: the strategic plan will help the tourism department set multi‑year priorities and investment strategies; the committee composition affects public transparency, stakeholder participation and the procedural timeline.
Ending: Staff will report back to JLL and the TDC with the council’s preference; public workshops and stakeholder outreach are scheduled in the consultant scope.
