Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tourism And Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Supervisors criticize tourism outreach and seek details on proposed Johnson Mine site plans
Summary
Supervisors raised concerns that the county's tourism funding and communications have not adequately informed affected towns, and flagged a Gunnison Copper Johnson Mine plan that could move local roads and require coordination with ADOT and landowners.
Several supervisors at the March 5 work session criticized the county's tourism-board outreach and spending, saying towns such as Tombstone and Douglas have not been kept informed about events and road impacts tied to tourism initiatives.
One supervisor urged the county to schedule a tourism work session and to consider using professional marketing support rather than relying on the existing tourism board; supervisors noted they want the tourism program to be accountable and to demonstrate benefits across the county rather than concentrating resources in one area.
Separately, supervisors noted Gunnison Copper has published a 3D layout for a proposed Johnson Mine that would relocate Johnson Road, add frontage roads and require coordination with ADOT. Board members said constituents called with concerns about road relocations, parking impacts and the pace of the company's outreach. County staff agreed to gather information from Gunnison Copper, ADOT and other partners and to draft letters or requests for meetings so supervisors can better understand timing, permitting and local impacts.
The board scheduled future work-session items to review tourism governance and proposed port/authority bylaws and to consider outreach with mine proponents and transportation agencies. No formal votes were recorded on either tourism funding or the mine discussion during the work session.
