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Board approves $60,000 each for Amador County Chamber and ACT amid budget squeeze
Summary
After presentations from the Amador County Chamber and ACT and public comment about tourism’s economic role, the board voted 5–0 to allocate $60,000 to each organization for fiscal year 2627.
The Amador County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously March 24 to allocate $60,000 each to the Amador County Chamber of Commerce and the Amador Council of Tourism (ACT) for the 2627 fiscal year, despite broader county budget pressures.
George Eckert, chairman of ACT, asked the board for $130,000 to support cooperative marketing, trade shows and digital advertising tied to a new Tourism Marketing District. ACT presented figures showing 2024 tourism spending of roughly $164.6 million in Amador County and asked the county to support ongoing marketing to increase overnight stays and local spending.
Brad Bernard, CEO of the Amador County Chamber of Commerce, described the chamber’s member services, ribbon cuttings and business support programs and said the chamber had more than doubled membership in recent years. Chamber chair Erica Simmons and several business owners offered examples of how chamber events, networking and promotion drove local spending and supported small-business growth.
Several supervisors and members of the public pressed for metrics and return‑on‑investment given the county’s budget constraints; planners and lodging representatives said even modest increases in overnight stays and event visitors can drive restaurant and retail sales tax revenues. After discussion, the board moved to fund each organization at $60,000 for FY 2627. The motion passed unanimously (5–0).
Action details recorded in the meeting minutes show Supervisor Epperson as the mover and Supervisor Carnell as the seconder; the board recorded “Aye” votes from all five supervisors and the motion carried.
The allocations are a one‑year funding decision for the coming fiscal year; the board indicated it will continue to scrutinize the county’s budget and review such discretionary spending in the context of broader fiscal choices going forward.
