Tourism Council to face greater oversight

The Brewster County Tourism Council will face greater oversight from Brewster County Commissioners Court beginning tomorrow. On the agenda is an item, “Tourism Council Monthly Reports.” It is expected the Council will now be reporting its activities on a monthly basis for the first time since it was created in 1997. It is unclear what precipitated the need for new oversight by the county.

During the last two meetings of Commissioners Court , the courtroom was cleared for the Commissioners to discuss the Tourism Council in private during Executive Session.

Also on the agenda is the appointment of two new board members to the Tourism Council . One new board member is expected to replace a former Brewster County resident who moved to Houston several years ago and has continued on the board.

According to Tourism Council President Ron Sanders, the Council can only make recommendations of new board members to the county and it is up to the county to remove board members. Sanders said two other former board members were part time residents.

Regarding the new oversight, Sanders added he welcomes the new monthly reporting to Commissioners Court.

Mike Davidson Executive Director of the Tourism Council, defended the practice of former residents serving on the board addeing in an email, “But you are asking my opinion, I do not appoint board members. I really appreciate you for knocking down hard working volunteers who have made the board a success. I don’t hear any word about what has been accomplished and the economic development that has taken place. Typical, I might add.”

The Gazette has asked Davidson for yearly tax revenue figures so a statistical analysis of hotel tax revenue for Brewster County can be made in comparison to other counties hotel tax revenue. The comparison will include statistics for other counties available from the State Comptrollers office. The Gazette also asked Davidson to elaborate on accomplishments and economic development he mentioned.