Resident urges TDA to pay full cost of museum painting; commissioners ask for more quotes and table decision

A Swain County resident who identified himself as Fred Crawford urged commissioners on March 18 to require the Tourism Development Authority to cover the full cost of painting and power-washing the county-owned visitor center and museum, arguing state law directs occupancy-tax money to tourism uses and administrative costs.

"The state legislature ... established the Swain County TDA and explicitly outlined how occupancy tax revenues should be used," Fred Crawford said, noting session law 02/2023 and saying the law "mandates that at least two thirds of the net proceeds must be used to promote travel and tourism." He said the TDA’s net proceeds for the current fiscal year were about $1.9 million and that the TDA’s bank balance in February was about $1.1 million.

TDA leaders had requested a 50/50 split of a $31,050 quote from a contractor identified as Husky’s to repaint the exterior of the museum, which the TDA characterized as maintenance and repair. Commissioners questioned whether paint—an aesthetic improvement—should be paid from county funds and discussed asking the TDA to obtain at least two additional quotes. One commissioner noted that if structural issues such as HVAC or roof leaks threatened county liability, the county might step in; commissioners said painting alone felt more like an administrative/TDA expense.

The board did not approve the 50/50 split at the meeting. Commissioners directed staff and the TDA to seek additional quotes and to return with follow-up at a future work session. Crawford had urged commissioners to reject requests that shift TDA administrative costs to county taxpayers; the board asked staff to pursue further information before making a funding decision.