Brewster County To Control Tourism Council Financials, No Paving for Pct.4

This morning Brewster County Commissioners Court took control from the Brewster County Tourism Council over the organization’s financial decision-making in large financial transactions.

For transactions over $5,000, the tourism board must now seek prior approval from the county; transactions under $5,000 must be reported to the court monthly.

In another first, the Tourism Council will now be required to make monthly reports to the court.

Brewster County Judge Val Beard thanked council board members for their hard work, all of whom are unpaid volunteers.

In 2009, the Hotel Occupancy Tax in Brewster County (excluding the City of Alpine) was increased from 3% to 7%. Currently, the tax, paid by visitors to the region staying at hotels, generates over $500,000 annually. The funds are used by the Tourism Council to generate future tourism.

According to Mike Davidson, Executive Director of the Tourism Council, those tax dollars have paid off. Total hotel revenue has increased sharply from $4.7 million in 2002 to $7.43 million in 2011. Davidson said to date this year, hotel revenue is up 15% from last year and should set a record for the county.

The Tourism Council collects funds from unincorporated areas of Brewster County. The City of Alpine has a separate hotel tax.

The court also accepted two new members to the Tourism Council board: Carol Peterson, of the Gage Hotel in Marathon, and Ruffin Moore, of Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa in Lajitas.

In other court matters, Freshman Commissioner Pallanez’ agenda item for paving needs in Double Diamond and South Double Diamond had a highly unusual fate: the motion died due to a lack of a second motion. This is the first time this reporter could recall in the last ten years of covering Brewster County Commssioners Court a motion failed to pass. It should be noted the Gazette only attends some meetings, not all. More on this item soon.