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Walton County grants 6-month extension to Paper Bear media partnership for renegotiation
Summary
Facing criticism from bed-tax stakeholders and tourism partners about slow delivery of film- and merchandising-related deliverables, the board approved a six-month extension to the Paper Bear media partnership to negotiate merchandising, delivery and exclusivity terms.
Walton County tourism staff requested an extension to a media partnership with Paper Bear Inc., a production and merchandising partner that was funded in part with bed-tax money and tasked with producing a film and merchandise (including plush toys) featuring Walton County. Commissioners and several bed-tax collectors criticized slow progress and missing deliverables; tourism staff said the film is nearing completion and the partner asked for more time to fulfill obligations.
After substantial public testimony — bed-tax collectors urged cutting losses while tourism supporters and some commissioners asked for an opportunity to renegotiate deliverables and merchandising rights — the board voted to grant a six-month extension rather than an open two-year renewal. The extension preserves the county's exclusive merchandising relationship temporarily while staff negotiates details such as wholesale pricing, initial quantities and delivery timelines. Tourism staff emphasized there is no additional county funding attached to the extension.
Next steps: tourism staff will negotiate merchandising, refine deliverable schedules and return with proposed contract revisions ahead of the six-month deadline; the board asked for clearer reporting and accounting of deliverable timelines.
