Warren County Committee Meetings - 03/23/2026 - Occupancy Tax

The Warren County Committee meeting on March 23, 2026, focused primarily on discussions related to the allocation and use of Occupancy Tax revenues. Key procurement-related topics included a resolution to award $200,000 from the Occupancy Tax fund to the Adirondack Civic Center Coalition for an engineering study related to capital improvements at the Civic Center. Committee members debated the appropriateness of using Occupancy Tax funds for capital projects versus tourism promotion, with some expressing concern about the alignment with the tax's intended use and the financial feasibility of subsequent construction phases. The committee ultimately approved the $200,000 appropriation, noting that the funds would be available in the fourth quarter of 2026. Additional discussions covered the extension of a spending plan for three-town branding efforts and the distribution of Occupancy Tax funds to local municipalities for tourism promotion. The meeting also included a review of occupancy and revenue performance data for the region, highlighting challenges in winter tourism and the importance of events to drive visitation. Budget concerns were raised regarding the sustainability of funding various tourism-related initiatives and grant matches. Overall, the meeting emphasized careful stewardship of Occupancy Tax revenues to support tourism infrastructure and promotion while balancing fiscal constraints.