Branson aldermen vote to remove TCED member Cindy Mary after contested public hearing

The Branson Board of Aldermen voted 4-3 at a special meeting to remove Cindy Mary from the Tourism Community Enhancement District (TCED) board, with Mayor Larry Milton breaking the tie by voting "yes." The motion to remove Mary was brought forward by Alderman Houghton and seconded by Alderman Ralph LeBlanc.

Supporters and critics of Mary used the allotted public-comment period to press opposing views before the aldermen voted. Proponents described Mary as a long-time volunteer and watchdog on tourism spending; opponents raised concerns about tone and board dynamics. "My basic responsibility as an alderman is to make decisions based on fact," said Ruth, an alderman who spoke during the board's discussion of the item, as she explained outstanding questions that informed her decision-making.

Cindy Mary, who described several policy and oversight accomplishments during her remarks, told the board, "My name is Cindy Mary," and reviewed the TCED initiatives she credited with helping to restore marketing efforts such as Ozark Mountain Christmas, tighten reimbursable policies and create more detailed financial oversight. Mary said the district hired an executive director to manage a roughly $12,000,000 budget and that the board had reduced what she described as duplicate commissions paid out of marketing funds.

Public speakers including Sue Braun, Michael London and others detailed Mary’s work on the financial oversight committee and in community marketing. Sue Braun told aldermen Mary "was encouraged by the Alderman to keep up her questioning and to continue doing what was right for the stakeholders in the TCED district." Michael London and others recounted long-running concerns about the Chamber/CVB's marketing and credited Mary with pushing for greater transparency and a more functional destination website. Several speakers asked the board to consider broader reform measures, including the outside review proposed in bill 55-99, which supporters said was intended to bring an independent marketing assessment.

Aldermen who supported removal said the action followed a procedural request and was appropriate given earlier ordinance changes that made TCED appointments at-will. Alderman Marshall (who said he had put time into the issue) described the choice as "gut-wrenching" but indicated he would vote to remove. Other aldermen warned the removal could chill volunteer participation: "We've gotta be knocking down the number of volunteers that our city will receive through this kind of action," said Glenn, who noted concerns about impacts on volunteer recruitment.

The board took a roll-call vote. Recorded positions were: Lucas — no; Howden — yes; Cooper — yes; Dunham — no; Ralph LeBlanc — yes; Schultz — no. The result was a 3-3 tie, and Mayor Larry Milton cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of removal. The mayor announced, "So my vote is yes. K. So the motion passes." The clerk confirmed the motion passed and the mayor then called a short recess.

No formal direction to staff or additional board actions on TCED governance were recorded at the meeting beyond the appointment removal. Board members asked that any alderman who would later apply to fill the vacancy should abstain from voting on their own appointment in order to avoid conflicts of interest.

The removal follows months of public debate about marketing priorities, budgeting transparency and the relationship between the TCED board and the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB. Supporters of Mary asked aldermen to prioritize stakeholder oversight and independent review; opponents emphasized interpersonal and procedural concerns. The board did not adopt any new ordinance or take additional formal steps related to TCED funding at the meeting.