Committee deadlocks on $15M set‑aside for regional tournament complex; amendment to split funds 7.5/7.5 passes, main motion ties 5–5

The committee considered a budget amendment to set aside $15,000,000 for a proposed regional tournament complex funded from local ATAX and H tax receipts. Finance staff explained the amendment as a second amendment to the 2027 budget and read the amounts; proponents framed the project as an economic driver that could generate direct spending and raise local tax revenue, while critics urged a site selection and feasibility study before earmarking funds.

Councilman Cunningham and others presented figures estimating direct spending and broader economic impact from tournaments — citing a prior local tournament that generated about $1,100,000 over five days — and argued that allocating county funds now would demonstrate commitment and help leverage private investment. Staff said a site selection/feasibility study application (ATAX) was submitted with a requested $200,000 study, and said that if the study shows the project is not viable, funds would not be spent. The committee voted to amend the proposed allocation to $7.5M from ATAX and $7.5M from H tax (passed 6–4), but the final vote on the ordinance as amended ended in a 5–5 tie and the motion failed in committee.