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Moultrie County Board expands tourism committee and suspends hotel/motel tax for one year
Summary
The county board amended its hotel/motel tax ordinance to expand the tourism committee, appointed seven members (one abstention), and approved a one-year suspension of the hotel/motel tax in unincorporated areas beginning June 1, 2026.
The Moultrie County Board on April 9 amended Ordinance No. 05-03 to increase the number of members on the county's Hotel and Motel Operator's Tax committee and immediately appointed seven members to the tourism committee.
Chairman Travis Phelps moved the ordinance change and explained the purpose behind expanding the committee and activating the fund. "There is quite a bit of money in the fund and it is a great way to promote tourism right away to get some movement," Phelps said. The board approved the ordinance amendment by roll call, 7-0.
Phelps then moved to appoint Aaron Wilhelm, Joe Wallis, John Fayhee, Joy Voltenburg, Marissa Born, Rob Coleman, and Aaron Kirk to the Moultrie County Tourism Committee for one-year terms. Josh Roe raised procedural questions about naming a committee chair and whether a quorum existed because two board members were absent; the State's Attorney said she would need to review the updated quorum definition. The board proceeded with the appointments; the motion carried 6 yes, 0 no, with Wilhelm abstaining.
In a separate motion, the board approved suspending the hotel/motel taxes collected in unincorporated areas for a period of one year, effective June 1, 2026. The suspension passed 7-0; a letter will be sent to local collectors informing them of the temporary pause.
