Franklin County fiscal court votes to create Sports Tourism Commission after months of debate

The Franklin County Fiscal Court approved ordinances on Dec. 19 to withdraw the county from the joint tourist and convention commission and create a separate Franklin County Sports Tourism Commission, a move supporters say will help recruit tournaments and expand overnight stays but that critics warned could disrupt existing tourism funding.

Judge Miller introduced the item and said the court would set the commission's start date for July 1, 2025, to give officials and stakeholders time to complete required interlocal agreements and memoranda of understanding. "That will give everybody time," the judge said, asking that the court proceed with passage while postponing the tax collection start date.

Public commenters pressed the court from both sides. "We don't have a clear answer on how we will be made whole, how our funding will be made up," Robin Antonucci, executive director…