Council authorizes mayor to renew hotel‑motel tax distribution with Old Town Hiram Business Association

A councilmember moved during the July work session to authorize the mayor to execute an agreement renewing the hotel‑motel excise tax distribution with the Old Town Hiram Business Association (OTHBA), allocating 100% of disbursements to the association. A second followed and the motion carried by voice vote. The motion as stated in the meeting transcript was: “authorize the mayor to execute an agreement with Old Town Hiram Business Association for renewal of the hotel motel excise tax distribution agreement, allocating 100% of disbursement to OTHBA, otherwise known as Old Town Hiram Business Association.” The council did not record a roll‑call tally in the transcript; the item was approved by voice vote. No ordinance number, resolution number or specific term length for the agreement was discussed on the record during the meeting. The council did not discuss a budgetary breakdown for the hotel‑motel excise tax allocation in the portion of the transcript that addressed this agenda item. Councilmembers moved next to other business and an executive session; the mayor noted the council would adjourn from the executive session. Members of the public or staff did not provide additional detail on how the OTHBA will use the funds during the recorded discussion.