Commission accepts tourism tax advisory board recommendations but retains discretion on spending

Patty presented recommendations from the Kane County Tourism Tax Advisory Board required by state statute and said the board will realign its schedule to coordinate with the county’s budgeting cycle next year.

Patty reiterated that some items are statutory requirements — for example, the county’s office of tourism operating and marketing budget of $2,200,000 — while other items on the list are discretionary recommendations. "We don't have to do exactly what's on the sheet," Patty said, and staff clarified that accepting the recommendations does not equal immediate disbursement of funds.

Commissioners raised questions about whether certain incremental payments tied to the East Side CRA project should be withheld if an entity has unpaid property taxes; staff explained the increment is earned by the project and held in the RDA fund until distribution criteria are met. A commissioner suggested keeping a $0 line item for search and rescue to maintain its priority on future advisory board agendas. Patty moved to accept the advisory board's recommendations; the motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

Commissioners asked staff to place any project‑specific allocations that might affect non‑county entities on a future agenda for explicit approval or public vote before funds are released.