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County updates: DSS building, transfer station project, festival recap and admissions‑tax study request
Summary
County staff reported progress on the DSS building site work and transfer‑station replacement bid schedule, recapped the 7 Stars Music Festival and its impact on TOT collections, and the board asked staff to research an admissions tax and provide legal and implementation options based on past 2018 work.
County administration delivered several operational updates and the board directed staff to conduct a study of a potential admissions tax.
DSS building and personnel: Staff reported site work – stormwater, electrical and data conduit – is under way with the goal of installing the building this month. Grace Deshong was introduced as the new DSS director, having started Jan. 1; staff said Deshong will begin monthly departmental reporting next month.
Transfer station and solid waste diversion: The county's transfer station tipping‑floor replacement project is progressing toward solicitation of bids this month for construction targeted in April–May. Staff said the Region 2000 services authority approved diversion of solid waste to Amherst County for up to 40 days, pending Amherst County approval; the county will notify account holders when the plan is finalized.
Festival recap and tax collections: Staff gave a recap of the 7 Stars Music Festival; stakeholders reported overall coordination went well and offered minor improvements around traffic communication and sound mitigation. The festival organizers announced the 2026 date (Oct. 12). The county reported lodging units rose from 826 to 833 and that 2025 calendar‑year meals and lodging tax (TOT) collections were $2,743,694; staff noted October festival activity affected collections.
Admissions tax study request: Supervisor Chris Lanahan (named in the transcript) proposed exploring an admissions tax on event attendees to generate revenue from nonresidents using county services. Board members asked staff to research legal constraints, exemptions (nonprofit exemptions and size thresholds), and prior discussions (noting a 2018 study). Staff agreed to circulate the 2018 materials and to return with legal and implementation options.
Appointments and other items: The board also processed multiple advisory board appointments by district (Laura Wert, Katherine Baron Stump, Kate Rutherford, Sue Woodson, Chris Baker among names recorded) and set its next meeting for January 28.
