Committee trims Tourism Council request to $70,000 after debate over duplication of services

Oneida County Tourism representatives Jackie Sharp and Krystal Westfahl asked the committee to restore last year’s 30% cut and requested $92,800 to return the program to prior funding levels. Sharp said last year’s cuts forced reductions to meetings, newsletters and the ability to pursue new projects and grants.

Chairman Billy Fried questioned whether Tourism has alternative funding sources, and Westfahl replied that room taxes are municipal and do not flow to county tourism. Fried said he believes some services may duplicate other county efforts and expressed a preference for project-specific funding. The committee’s motion to deny the request failed for lack of a second; a subsequent motion (Holewinski/Hess) to fund the Tourism Council at $70,000 and forward it to the October Budget Hearings passed on a roll call (Tautges Aye; Hess Aye; Fisher Aye; Holewinski Aye; Fried Nay; two members absent).