Anyone who's been paying attention, it was easy to see the BCC take control away from the TDC expert professionals and make it just another county department.
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Amy Wise-Coble (Seat 6) served as chair for the meeting due to the absence of Commissioner Drake. Statements made by TDC members revealed their frustration and perception the Board of County Commissioners has ignored or trampled on them at every turn – to the taxpayers’ detriment.
The two bodies have begun meeting regularly to improve their working relationship. Following the last joint meeting in 2025, both groups indicated that the “work session” was productive. However, remarks made by two of the TDC members (Amy Wise-Coble and Tim Taylor, (Seat 4) this week indicated a chasm exists between the two boards – as well as accusations some TDC members have abandoned their responsibilities.
Wise-Coble said, “We have got to try and get on the same page with the BCC, because I think we have members of this Council [referring to the TDC] that likely aren’t attending because they don’t feel like they are being heard.” With reference to a decision the BCC made to purchase property, she added, “If you [referring to the BCC] write a resolution to buy a piece of property, that’s great, but you shouldn’t reference the Tourism Development Council anywhere in the resolution. It should say the Board of County Commissioners because we [the TDC] weren’t involved. Nobody asked [for] our opinion.”
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At the very end of the meeting, Tim Taylor affirmed the comments regarding disconnect and disregard for the TDC by saying, “We’re appointed by the County Commissioners. We’re [the TDC] all experts in our fields, truly experts, entrepreneurs that really make the engine go…I understand it’s the County and the County Commissioners are elected and they can do whatever they want. But why come [here and serve on the TDC]? You’ve heard me say we’re marionettes.” Taylor continued, “I like it because it gives me a chance just to use it [my role in the TDC] as a bully pulpit, but we’re not listened to.” He concluded by saying that he and the other TDC members lack value and have no authority in their volunteer roles. He said, “we can’t even make a recommendation.”
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At the last BCC meeting, Commissioner Donna Johns (District 4) brought up the tabled discussion of hiring an Executive Director of Tourism. The TDC has supported and recommended that the County hire an Executive Director. Currently, the County has a Director of Tourism and a Director of Beach Operations who work together to oversee the county’s largest revenue stream, tourism. The BCC is split on the TDC’s recommendation, and Commissioner Danny Glidewell (District 2) believes the current leadership is sufficient and that hiring an Executive Director for Tourism would be fiscally wasteful. Commissioners have also shared that they cannot agree on who the Executive Director of Tourism should report to (either the County Administrator or directly to the BCC).
midbaynews.com
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Amy Wise-Coble (Seat 6) served as chair for the meeting due to the absence of Commissioner Drake. Statements made by TDC members revealed their frustration and perception the Board of County Commissioners has ignored or trampled on them at every turn – to the taxpayers’ detriment.
The two bodies have begun meeting regularly to improve their working relationship. Following the last joint meeting in 2025, both groups indicated that the “work session” was productive. However, remarks made by two of the TDC members (Amy Wise-Coble and Tim Taylor, (Seat 4) this week indicated a chasm exists between the two boards – as well as accusations some TDC members have abandoned their responsibilities.
Wise-Coble said, “We have got to try and get on the same page with the BCC, because I think we have members of this Council [referring to the TDC] that likely aren’t attending because they don’t feel like they are being heard.” With reference to a decision the BCC made to purchase property, she added, “If you [referring to the BCC] write a resolution to buy a piece of property, that’s great, but you shouldn’t reference the Tourism Development Council anywhere in the resolution. It should say the Board of County Commissioners because we [the TDC] weren’t involved. Nobody asked [for] our opinion.”
......................
At the very end of the meeting, Tim Taylor affirmed the comments regarding disconnect and disregard for the TDC by saying, “We’re appointed by the County Commissioners. We’re [the TDC] all experts in our fields, truly experts, entrepreneurs that really make the engine go…I understand it’s the County and the County Commissioners are elected and they can do whatever they want. But why come [here and serve on the TDC]? You’ve heard me say we’re marionettes.” Taylor continued, “I like it because it gives me a chance just to use it [my role in the TDC] as a bully pulpit, but we’re not listened to.” He concluded by saying that he and the other TDC members lack value and have no authority in their volunteer roles. He said, “we can’t even make a recommendation.”
........................
At the last BCC meeting, Commissioner Donna Johns (District 4) brought up the tabled discussion of hiring an Executive Director of Tourism. The TDC has supported and recommended that the County hire an Executive Director. Currently, the County has a Director of Tourism and a Director of Beach Operations who work together to oversee the county’s largest revenue stream, tourism. The BCC is split on the TDC’s recommendation, and Commissioner Danny Glidewell (District 2) believes the current leadership is sufficient and that hiring an Executive Director for Tourism would be fiscally wasteful. Commissioners have also shared that they cannot agree on who the Executive Director of Tourism should report to (either the County Administrator or directly to the BCC).
Walton Tourism Pros: “We have no voice” With Local Government - Mid Bay News
A simmering feud between the Walton County Tourism Development Council and the Board of County Commissioners is reaching a boiling point as frustrated TDC members claim they are powerless "marionettes" whose expertise is being ignored.
midbaynews.com