Council tables tourism grant advisory committee after concerns about membership and conflicts

Muskogee — The City Council on Dec. 8 heard a presentation on forming a tourism grant advisory committee to recommend awards from hotel/motel tax revenues but voted to table the item until Jan. 12 to allow staff to revise membership language.

Justin O'Neil, the city presenter, described the committee as three ex‑officio staff positions (including the tourism director and economic‑development director), the Chamber president, and seven voting members: two hotel/lodging representatives, one financial‑institution representative, one attraction representative, two city citizens and one council member. Grants under the advisory committee would be limited to $5,000 via the committee process; larger awards would be handled at the city‑manager or council level.

Councilors raised multiple concerns: why $5,000 was chosen, whether industry representation could create conflicts of interest for decision‑making about public funds, and whether a financial‑institution seat could create recruitment hurdles. One councilor suggested the advisory body should include more citizen members and that the committee should review larger grant requests as well.

Councilor Merrick moved to table the item so staff could return with revisions and a clearer process; the motion passed by roll‑call vote. Staff indicated the proposal would come back through Public Works and Finance and be scheduled for the Jan. 12 meeting.

Next steps: Staff will draft revised membership language and report back to Public Works before returning the item to the council agenda in January.