Warren County panel approves $200,000 for Adirondack Civic Center engineering study after debate over occupancy-tax rules

Warren County’s Occupancy Tax Coordination Committee approved a $200,000 award on March 23 to the Adirondack Civic Center Coalition to pay for engineering and design work intended to support grant applications and long-term repairs.

The decision followed more than an hour of public comment and supervisor discussion about whether the design study fits the county’s occupancy-tax statute. Gary Thornquist of Lake George RV Park read language from Resolution No. 368 (2015) and argued the study "is not related whatsoever to tourism" and "it's not to put heads in beds," urging the committee to defeat the request.

Supporters, including representatives of the Civic Center, said the study is a necessary step to secure construction grants and to avoid looming mechanical failures. Ed, speaking on behalf of the Adirondack Civic Center Coalition, said the facility has a regional economic footprint and cited an economic-impact study the coalition provided showing about $22.2 million in direct economic impact and roughly $1.2 million that flows to the county via taxes. Civic Center staff further said the arena hosts more than 150 events a year and draws more than a quarter-million visitors annually, and that its 1999-era ice and chiller systems are failing and costly to maintain.

Supervisors pressed for clarity on the project’s phases and funding plan. "You can't apply for a grant unless you've done the preliminary work," one Civic Center representative said, and other supervisors noted that having engineered plans increases the chance of securing federal and state grants. Committee members also flagged the difference between design-phase spending and later construction costs, asking what obligations the county might face if grants do not materialize. Staff noted the funds would not be available until the fourth quarter of 2026 and that the city had already pledged $200,000 toward design.

Supervisor Wild moved to award the $200,000; Supervisor Straw seconded the motion. After discussion and public comment, the committee approved the award by voice vote and then adopted a resolution to appropriate $200,000 from the occupancy-tax reserve to account A6417 (tourism civic center capital cost) to assist in funding design.

The committee’s approval does not itself commit the county to construction spending; members and Civic Center representatives said the design is intended to enable grant applications and to clarify the scope and cost of any later construction. Several supervisors said they supported the award because the Civic Center produces regional economic activity and because design documents are typically required by grantmakers.

Next steps: Civic Center leaders said they would use the design work to pursue grants and to refine total project costs; supervisors asked for follow-up on grant applications and a clearer outline of subsequent funding requests. The committee adjourned after completing the vote.