WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS AWARD HOT FUND REQUESTS

Josh Blaschke September 28, 2021

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(front row,from left) Washington County Extension Agent Allyson James, Washington County 4-H Council Parliamentarian Dalton Winkelmann, President Emmy Kate Boyd, Vice President Keely Mikolajchak, and Secretary Madison Moran joined Washington County Commissioners as they proclaimed October 3-9 as National 4-H Week in Washington County.

Washington County Commissioners moved to allocate 2021’s hotel occupancy tax (HOT) grant funding at their meeting today (Tuesday).

Out of $53,281 requested in HOT funds, the court awarded $23,400 to six organizations, including the Brenham Heritage Museum, Burton Chamber of Commerce, Chappell Hill Chamber of Commerce, Chappell Hill Historical Society, Texas Arts and Music Festival and Washington-on-the-Brazos Historical Foundation.

Commissioners awarded $6,200 to the Chappell Hill Chamber of Commerce, $5,000 to the Texas Arts and Music Festival, $4,500 to the Chappell Hill Historical Society, $4,000 to the Burton Chamber of Commerce, $2,200 to the Washington-on-the-Brazos Historical Foundation and $1,500 to the Brenham Heritage Museum.

In August, the court approved changes to how HOT fund requests are permitted and funded. A grant eligibility committee made up of local tourism officials reviews all funding applications, and the county treasurer funds all of the projects that are requested.

An overview of 2021's hotel occupancy tax funding requests and the amounts that were approved.
(courtesy Washington County)

Starting next year, local tourism entities will be able to apply for two rounds of HOT funds. Funding for 2022 will be awarded this December and next June.

Approximately $50,000 is earmarked annually to fund the requests of tourism entities and nonprofit organizations, around $25,000 each in the fall and spring cycles.

Also in court today, commissioners heard a report on the Washington County Fair from Fair Manager Dean Fuchs. Fuchs said the fair was “extremely successful” and commended the work ethic of county expo staff, the communication between staff and administrators, and the trust between staff and volunteers.

Commissioners also:

Proclaimed October 3-9, 2021 as National 4-H Week in Washington County. Extension Agent Allyson James said there are 550 youth involved in Washington County 4-H.
Approved a resolution adopting the Texas Opioid Abatement Fund Council and settlement allocation as set forth by the Texas Attorney General. Commissioners also approved the Exhibit K Settlement Participation Form (Janssen Settlement and Distribution Settlement) for the Texas Attorney Vernal Opioid Settlement.
Approved a resolution accepting Windsor Chase, LLC, explicit voluntary dedication and grant of private property for public use along Bosse Road, pursuant to Texas Transportation Code 281.003.
Approved a request to move $3,000 from the Washington County Information Technology (WCIT) Seminar/Dues account to the WCIT Software and Training account.
Approved a joint election agreement and the election services contract between the county and Burton ISD for the November 2nd election.
Approved a right of way permit and mass gathering permit for the Chappell Hill Scarecrow Festival.
Heard monthly reports from the emergency management coordinator, county and district clerks, justices of the peace, auditor, tax assessor/collector, treasurer, constables and veterans service officer.
Approved annual renewal bonds for Reserve Deputy Sheriffs Carl Wiesepape and J.B. Ellis.
Met in executive session to hold further economic development negotiations regarding possible incentives to Project Black Spots, a business looking to locate, stay or expand in Washington County.

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