Washington County commissioners order hotel-tax withholding from WCTA pending 2024 audit

The Washington County Board of Commissioners voted to direct the county treasurer to withhold distributions of county hotel-tax revenues to the Washington County Tourism Agency (WCTA) until the commissioners receive an audit for the 2024 fiscal year showing income and expenditures in a form and content determined by the commissioners.

Chief Clerk read the motion asking that "the county treasurer withhold the distribution of county hotel tax revenues to the WCTA until the county commissioners have received an audit for the 2024 fiscal year with information on the income and expenditures incurred by the WCTA and a form and content as determined by the county commissioners, pursuant to section 17507(f)(g) of the county code for fourth class counties." The motion was moved and seconded and decided by roll call.

Why it matters: Commissioners and members of the public questioned the agency’s spending and transparency at a time of increased tourism activity in the county. Commissioners asked for detailed answers about WCTA expenditures, consultant contracts, travel costs and the agency’s reported cash balance, and said they wanted the commissioners to review a complete audit package before releasing hotel-tax funds.

Discussion and dissent: Several commissioners said they had received WCTA materials and a written 10‑page response to questions but still sought further documentation. One commissioner noted the county had received a clean audit for the agency in prior years but said answers to recent questions were incomplete and asked for transparency, saying, "We have a duty and an obligation to provide transparency to taxpayers, and that's what I'm doing." Another commissioner said timing was a concern because county tourism events and the county’s 250th anniversary activities were beginning this weekend.

Outcome and next steps: The motion to withhold distributions passed by roll call; commissioners directed staff to define the required audit content and to withhold hotel-tax payments to WCTA until that material is delivered and reviewed. The chief clerk cited county-code authority for the withholding. Commissioners did not specify a deadline for submission in the meeting record. The action does not itself adjudicate any finding of misuse; it conditions payment on delivery of the requested audit information.

Funding and oversight note: Commissioners referenced that WCTA reportedly holds a multi‑million‑dollar balance; one speaker described "upwards of $3,000,000 still being held," and asked how those funds have been allocated. The motion instructs the treasurer to withhold distributions pending the audit; it does not, in itself, redirect or reallocate hotel-tax revenues.

What was not resolved: The meeting record does not show that the board determined whether withheld funds will be placed in escrow, returned, or become a lien on property; commissioners instructed staff to obtain and review the audit and supporting documents before additional decisions are made.