MCTC advisory board debates 2% T‑bid, governance changes and county contract terms

The MCTC advisory board, the body that advises Mendocino County on the tourism assessment, opened an extended discussion of the annual bid report and next steps to support either a renewed one‑year assessment or a longer five‑year, 2% transient‑occupancy (T‑bid) measure.

"What we're trying to do with this report and beyond it ... is set ourselves up for getting the five‑year, 2% passed," Chair D said, framing the meeting’s goal as preparing the program to demonstrate the structure and accountability needed for a successful ballot or ordinance change.

Scott, who said he was recently brought on by the MCTC board to review the bid, marketing and governance, told the group he sees opportunities to streamline the ordinance and move operational details into MCTC bylaws so the organization can be more nimble. "This annual report traditionally has had a lot more and the ordinance itself actually has had a lot more detail and a lot more information than what is legally necessary," Scott said, noting that many provisions date from a time when the county provided funding.

Board members supported two concurrent tracks: (1) fix immediate structural and reporting problems in the current bid so a near‑term renewal is viable, and (2) continue work toward a five‑year, 2% T‑bid as the preferred long‑term path. The group…