Tourism board pauses new spending pending audit, votes to replace management contract with part-time contractor

The Tourism Economic Development Authority trustees voted on Feb. 25 to approve the authority27s financial report, instructed staff to pause discretionary spending pending completion of the audit, and approved a motion to not award a full management contract and instead hire a contractor for five hours a week at $250 per week.

The board27s treasurer summarized the financial picture at the meeting and urged caution. "Income for February 2025 is $17,183.83 for an annualized income of $398,118. Expenses to date are $481,285 which include grants, special projects, the fall concert series, and the management contract. We have a current bank balance of $400,000. We continue to operate in deficit and funding projects and operations out of cash reserves," Treasurer Kara said. Kara told trustees that, after consulting with the auditors under contract, "the trustees of this tourism authority should not move forward with any motion or vote of expenditures until the audit is complete and the trustees receive further…