After heated debate, Scotts Bluff County approves part-time tourism assistant funded by lodging tax with monthly cap

The Scotts Bluff County Board approved hiring a part-time assistant to support tourism office work, after a lengthy discussion that included members of the public, the tourism advisory board and county commissioners.

Tourism director Brenda told the board the position would be 8 hours a week (annual salary ~$7,389.10 plus Social Security) and paid from the lodging-tax-funded tourism budget so no general-fund dollars are involved. Brenda said keeping the post under 8 hours per week would avoid county benefit obligations and that she planned to use the worker for administrative tasks, brochure handling, website updates and event support.

Commissioners and members of the public debated whether volunteers who had supported the previous visitor center could replace the work. Several speakers, including volunteer Rebecca and public commenters, said volunteers had supported the former visitor center for many years and urged approval; others said volunteers had limited availability. The tourism advisory committee had unanimously recommended the part-time position.

Commissioners expressed concern about long-term obligations and potential benefit triggers if hours were concentrated. After a motion to table failed, the board approved a revised motion that capped monthly hours at 40 (effectively not to exceed an average of roughly 8 hours per week, with flexibility across weeks). The vote recorded five "yes" votes.

The board directed that the position be funded from tourism/lodging-tax money and emphasized the hire should not create general-fund liabilities or automatic eligibility for county benefits; county staff clarified benefits thresholds (retirement at ~20 hours/week, health insurance typically at ~30 hours/week).

Brenda said she would manage scheduling to stay within the cap and that the tourism committee would continue to oversee tourism spending and programming.