WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS APPROVE REVISIONS TO HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX GRANT APPLICATIONS

  

Washington County Commissioners approved changes today (Tuesday) to the county’s Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) grant applications. 

The applications are used during the tourism grant process, when local organizations are seeking funding for an event, program or project.

Commissioners said the revisions are meant to streamline the applications and make them more user-friendly.  Commissioner Candice Bullock said that includes language edits to better track the estimates that groups have for how many people attend their events, along with improved verification of how HOT funding and resources are used in the conducting of their activities and how they promote tourism. 

The City of Brenham and Washington County have an interlocal agreement to distribute HOT grant funds.  Commissioner Kirk Hanath said the city has a committee to handle the eligibility portion of who can receive funds, while the county has the funding committee to determine how much the applicants receive.

Hanath said the City of Brenham is looking to get the new application onto its website by May 6^th so that applicants can begin requesting funds.

In other business, the court:

• Approved a certificate and award of financial reporting achievement from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the county’s annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022.  County Auditor Shawna Hollis said the recognition is for the efforts made in making the information presentable and understandable for the public.
• Approved the county’s Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) drug and alcohol testing policy and procedures.  Human Resources Director Angela Mlcak said this is the last piece of the county’s policy revisions and comes directly from guidance issued by the Texas Association of Counties.
• Approved a right-of-way permit application for the MS 150 on Sunday.
• Received a series of monthly and annual reports.