06/22/2026 - Occupancy Tax Coordination Committee Meeting

The Warren County New York Occupancy Tax Coordination Committee met on June 22, 2026, to discuss various procurement and budget matters related to tourism promotion and event funding. Key procurement discussions included approval of contract extensions for municipal supplemental funding, particularly a $250,000 contract with the town of Lawrenceburg for holiday lights. The committee reviewed grant applications for marketing campaigns leveraging the Glenn Falls Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRRI), with proposed county contributions of $200,000 to secure up to $100,000 in matching state grants. Additional grant applications were discussed for tribal events and the Ironman event, with matching funds also proposed from the tourism budget. The committee approved motions to move forward with these grant applications and related resolutions. There was extensive discussion on the effectiveness and return on investment of occupancy tax spending, with concerns raised about the impact of current expenditures on tourism growth and calls for a more strategic approach, including potential audits and involvement of business advisory groups. Presentations included updates on branding efforts for the northern part of the county and economic impact data for major events. The meeting concluded with a consensus to explore reforms to occupancy tax spending policies and to engage business stakeholders in future planning.