Commissioners authorize $12,500 from hotel-motel fund for county 150th celebration

The Columbia County Board of Commissioners voted Aug. 18 to authorize $12,500 from the county’s hotel-motel fund to support the county’s 150th-anniversary celebration.

A commissioner moved to approve the use of hotel-motel funds and the board voted to carry the motion. The authorization was described in the meeting as funding that would be used for promotion and related event costs; county staff noted the fund balance is separate from the department’s annual budget and that the money is available in the hotel-motel fund.

Why it matters: The hotel-motel fund is typically reserved for tourism promotion and related advertising. At the meeting, staff and one commissioner framed the use as consistent with promotional purposes tied to an anniversary event.

Discussion and vote: The motion was moved and seconded during the meeting. The clerk called for a vote; the board indicated approval and the chair stated the motion carries. No roll-call tally with individual names was recorded in the transcript excerpt.

What’s next: Staff will proceed with disbursing the $12,500 toward promotional activities for the county’s 150th celebration. No additional conditions or reporting requirements were specified on the record at the meeting.