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Sullivan County approves $395,000 hotel‑motel transfer to tourism bureau amid calls for reporting
Summary
The commission approved a $395,000 appropriation of hotel‑motel tax funds to NET (the county’s tourism entity) despite objections from several commissioners who said they had not received reports on how prior funds were spent; the appropriation passed 19‑2.
The Sullivan County Commission voted to amend the fiscal 2024–25 general fund to include $395,000 in hotel‑motel tax collections to be distributed to the county’s tourism entity (NET), a move commissioners said was needed before the fiscal year closes.
Several commissioners objected to advancing funds without receiving a formal presentation showing how earlier appropriations had been used. Commissioner Jones said the commission “voted against this when it came up the first time to increase a budget” and added, “I haven’t seen 1 item since that version 500,000 was passed to show what’s been done for Sullivan. Not 1 presentation, not 1 piece of advertising material, marketing material for Sullivan County have we received.” Commissioner Crossamont echoed concerns about lack of feedback, and Commissioner Slayton criticized the department for holding funds without consulting the commission.
Sponsor Commissioner Vanover said the tourism entity will appear before the commission next month to provide a report and that the county must appropriate the funds now to meet fiscal‑year obligations. The resolution as approved directs the finance department to record the appropriation and requires quarterly reporting on the use of funds.
The vote to adopt the appropriation was 19 in favor, 2 opposed and 3 absent. Commissioners who opposed the measure cited the lack of accounting and presentation on prior spending.
Why it matters: hotel‑motel tax funds are public revenues earmarked for tourism promotion and related activities; commissioners argued both for fulfilling contractual or resolution obligations and for stronger reporting on how those funds are spent. The sponsor said the tourism entity will present next month and the appropriation is necessary to avoid default on distribution commitments before the fiscal year ends.
