In a recent government meeting, discussions centered around the allocation and management of funds for Scott County tourism, specifically regarding a $100,000 budget initially proposed for new events in the Quad Cities. Supervisor Pash expressed concerns over the expenditure of $52,000 without a clear plan for the remaining $48,000, questioning the criteria for approving new events and the timeline for their implementation.

The board members recalled that the funding was intended to support new events that had never been held in the area before. However, there appeared to be confusion regarding the specifics of the agreement and the events that were to be funded. Supervisor Austin clarified that the board had previously allocated $500,000 but ultimately settled on the $100,000 due to budget constraints, emphasizing that no additional votes were necessary for the current expenditures.

The discussion highlighted the importance of transparency and communication regarding the events being funded, with members agreeing that they should be kept informed about the new initiatives. The remaining funds must be allocated by December 31, 2026, as part of the ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funding requirements.

As the meeting progressed, the board acknowledged the need to ensure that the service agreement with Visit Quad Cities aligns with their discussions and expectations for the use of the allocated funds. The meeting concluded with a commitment to clarify the list of proposed events and to maintain open lines of communication moving forward.