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Board ratifies Napa Valley Tourism Corporation as TID owners’ association after members seek governance fixes
Summary
The board unanimously approved an agreement delegating operations of the renewed Napa Valley Tourism Improvement District to Napa Valley Tourism Corporation (NVTC). Supervisors and local officials requested continued work on bylaws, an independent administrator, better local reporting and further outreach to Up‑Valley stakeholders.
The Napa County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a ten‑year agreement on Sept. 9 that delegates operations of the renewed Napa Valley Tourism Improvement District (TID) to the Napa Valley Tourism Corporation (NVTC).
Becky Craig, assistant CEO, and Chair Ann Cottrell, who chairs NVTC, summarized the district renewal process and the related corporate governance items NVTC has committed to address since the board approved the management district plan in December. The renewed management plan and the delegation agreement together establish how assessment revenues collected from overnight stays are spent on destination marketing and place‑based programs.
Chair Cottrell said an NVTC ad‑hoc governance committee has been working for months to draft bylaws, a memorandum of understanding between NVTC and Visit Napa Valley (the DMO), and a job description for an independent contractor to serve as NVTC’s administrative manager. She said the committee will pursue improvements to conflict‑of‑interest processes, clearer responsibilities for the DMO’s executive director and better communication regarding how assessment dollars flow to local jurisdictions.
The board raised specific Up‑Valley representation concerns during public comment and in board discussion. Calistoga officials and lodging representatives said the city’s lodging base (roughly 790 STR/rooms) is underrepresented in the local governing committee structure and urged NVTC and the board to consider proportional representation and clearer local allocations. Cottrell and NVTC members acknowledged the concern and said changing board composition would require amendments to the management district plan; instead they proposed other governance and communication measures to ensure Up‑Valley voices are heard.
Supervisor Ramos said the board’s earlier December recommendations (bylaw changes, an independent administrator position, a governance review and improved local reporting) are being addressed and asked staff to return with an update in about six months. The board directed staff to request that NVTC report back on progress on bylaws, governance steps and the memorandum of understanding.
Action: Supervisor Gallagher moved approval; the board voted unanimously to ratify agreement number 25063B delegating owners‑association responsibilities to NVTC for the district period 06/16/2025–06/15/2035. Cottrell and NVTC leaders said they will continue ad‑hoc governance work and report back with drafts of bylaws, the MOU and an administrative job description.
Ending — next steps: The board requested a six‑month follow‑up item to review NVTC’s governance progress and recommended improved outreach to Up‑Valley hotel and lodging stakeholders.
