Erie County commissioners approve lodging-tax funding agreements for VCB and EPICC
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Summary
The Erie County Commissioners on March 30 adopted resolutions to fund the county’s lodging-tax distributions: the Visitors & Convention Bureau will receive the first two percent of net lodging-tax revenue, and EPICC will receive the third and fourth percent; both measures passed unanimously.
The Erie County Commissioners on March 30 adopted two resolutions establishing how the county’s lodging-tax revenue will be allocated, approving a funding agreement with the Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau for the first two percent of net lodging-tax revenue and a separate agreement with the Erie County Economic Development, Public Infrastructure, Community Convention and Visitors Bureau (EPICC) covering the third and fourth percent.
County Administrator Hank Solowiej told the Board these two measures are landmark items on the agenda and recommended their adoption. Shores & Islands Director Larry Fletcher said the Shores & Islands Board had reviewed and approved the draft agreement and was prepared to proceed, signaling local stakeholder support.
The Board voted on the measures during its regular session. Both resolutions were moved by Commissioner Shoffner and seconded by Commissioner Old; roll call votes were recorded as all aye. The Board also executed a support letter to the Bureau of Justice Assistance for a Mental Health Recovery Services Board (MHRSB) FY25 Public Safety and Mental Health Initiative grant application during the same portion of the agenda.
Why it matters: The adopted agreements define how the county will distribute lodging-tax revenue to tourism and economic-development partners, providing predictable funding streams for marketing, visitor services and related infrastructure. County staff will carry out the contractual steps and program administration called for in the agreements.
Votes at a glance: Resolutions adopted during the meeting included (as recorded in the minutes) approval of budget modifications and supplemental appropriations for county funds (Res. #26-79 and Res. #26-80), acceptance of T.I.R.C. recommendations for tax-incentive continuations (Res. #26-81), adoption of the VCB funding agreement (Res. #26-82), and adoption of the EPICC funding agreement (Res. #26-83). All recorded roll calls were unanimous (all aye).