LIVE @ Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) meeting 06/26/19

Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) Meeting Recap: June 26, 2019

The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) held its regular meeting on June 26, 2019, focusing primarily on financial performance, strategic planning for tourism growth, and community engagement. The meeting began with a series of recognitions honoring individuals and organizations contributing to the county's vibrancy, including acknowledging the Homestay Network, celebrating Leah’s sponsorship of a summer social and backpack drive for children, and recognizing the Austin Foundation's support for the Horizons program. A heartfelt farewell was also extended to Bob McMurray, retiring Executive Director of the Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce.

A significant portion of the meeting centered on the BCTDA's financial health and future investments. The board reviewed strong May financials, reporting $1.5 million in total revenue and a net change in fund balance of $5.8 million – with occupancy tax revenues up 9.5% compared to the previous year. Following a public hearing where no comments were received, the board unanimously approved the BCTDA’s fiscal year 2019-2020 operating budget of $19,358,035. They also approved a budget amendment allowing for $194,713 to be carried over from the Tourism Product Development Fund to support professional services for Phase One of the Tourism Management & Investment Plan (TINA). Finally, a revised signature policy was approved to clarify authority for contracts and agreements.

The TINA plan itself, a key strategic initiative for the BCTDA, was a major topic of discussion. The board received an update on Phase One, which focuses on assessment and gathering data to inform future tourism development. Economic and retail analyses are underway, meetings have been held with key local government bodies (City and County teams), and a community sentiment survey is being finalized. While some board members acknowledged concerns about the format of a recent Community Leadership Council meeting, emphasizing that it wasn’t as public as some felt it should be, the board reiterated its commitment to extensive public engagement later in the process through planned fall workshops and a dedicated website (exploreashealcdb.com/tina) where residents can find updates and provide feedback.

Beyond internal matters, the BCTDA received an update from City Council, which approved a flat budget maintaining current tax rates. Key investments highlighted included funding for early childhood education and affordable housing partnerships. The City Council will also hold a work session on July 2nd to discuss district planning, encouraging public comment.

Looking ahead, the BCTDA has several key action items: finalizing dates and locations for public workshops related to TINA, launching the community sentiment survey, and presenting Phase One findings to the board in September. The BCTDA is also partnering with 360-I to offer free website marketing assistance to local nonprofits and small businesses on August 6th. The meeting concluded with a heartfelt recognition of outgoing Board Chair, Jim Gardner, for his leadership and dedication.

This meeting demonstrated a commitment to responsible financial management while actively planning for the future of tourism in Buncombe County. The TINA plan, with its focus on data-driven decision making and community input, aims to ensure that tourism development benefits all residents while preserving the unique character of our region. Residents are encouraged to visit exploreashealcdb.com/tina for updates and opportunities to share their perspectives on the future of tourism in Buncombe County.