Council votes to reconsider tourism/DMO agreement amid oversight and IP concerns

On April 6 the Grants Pass City Council voted to reconsider a previously approved agreement that authorized the city manager to contract with the Josephine County Visitors Association (a regional DMO) to manage tourism promotion, Transient Lodging Tax (TLT) allocations and the downtown welcome center. Councilor Indra, who moved for reconsideration, said she found the contract “heavily contractor friendly” with limited city oversight and raised questions about whether the nonprofit’s Secretary of State status was current and whether financial statements and reserve projections had been vetted.

Indra asked why stronger performance metrics, clearer spending guardrails and financial oversight were not included. She also raised concerns about intellectual‑property and termination provisions that would leave deliverables with the contractor. After discussion, the council voted to reopen the item for additional review (reconsideration motion passed 5–1–1), directing staff to schedule a workshop and provide more detailed financials, P&L statements and clarifications on reserve status and IP provisions before any final or renewed action.

Councilors who supported reconsideration said the goal was greater transparency and prudent use of public TLT funds. Councilors opposing immediate reconsideration emphasized prior rationale for the DMO arrangement and noted the DMO’s role in shifting tourism workload off city staff. Staff was directed to return the item with requested documentation and recommended next steps.