Board dissolves Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Council, plans tourism-focused advisory body

The Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to dissolve the Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Council (EdTech), a body created in 2016 to advise the county on economic development and tourism matters, and to replace it with a narrower tourism advisory committee.

A county staff member told the board that the dual focus on economic development and tourism had diluted attention from tourism priorities as the county's strategic priorities evolve. The proposal calls for dissolving the existing council effective May 30, 2025, to allow an orderly transition and for staff to return to the board in June with bylaws establishing a tourism advisory committee focused on marketing, project planning and long-range tourism goals.

"I think having a more focused and a directed approach to generate the type of business and tourism that we need to generate tax revenue ... would be good," Supervisor Hodge said during discussion, praising the idea of appointing industry experts to the new advisory body.

The board voted 5-0 to approve a resolution dissolving the EdTech council and to direct staff to present bylaws for a tourism advisory committee at the next meeting.