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Park City Tourism Commission Holds First Meeting Since its chairman was removed

Jun 14, 2024 | 6:00 AM
The Park City Tourism Commission convened Tuesday, June 11th, to discuss multiple points of contention between the tourism body and the city. The meeting was largely dominated by discussions about the previous night’s hearing, which resulted in the removal of Chairman Eric Helton amid multiple accusations, allegations that Helton adamantly denies.
The allegations leveled against Helton range from malfeasance to conflicts of interest.
The notice that Helton received from the city cited KRS 65.007 which states, “Unless otherwise provided by state law, an appointed member of the governing body of a special district may be removed from office by the appointing authority after a hearing with notice as required by KRS Chapter 424 for inefficiency, neglect of duty, malfeasance or conflict of interest. The hearing shall be initiated and chaired by the appointing authority, who shall prepare a written statement setting forth the reasons for removal. The member to be removed shall be notified of his proposed removal and the reasons therefor by registered mail sent to his last known address at least ten (10) days prior to the hearing. The person to be removed may employ counsel to represent him. A record of the hearing shall be made by the appointing authority.”
Helton also maintains that he was not given the information necessary to attend the hearing, as Park City’s officials were attending the Kentucky League of Cities’ Summer Summit at the time of their next regularly scheduled meeting, which Helton was unaware. The hearing took place at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 10th before the city’s commissioners’ special called meeting.
While Helton did not participate in the meeting as a member of the commission, he did mention appealing the city’s decision.
Tourism Director Linda Watts addressed the commission multiple times, emphasizing the transparency and accountability that the Tourism Commission has upheld.  Watts also brought up the decision to “table” the dissolution of tourism for the time being made by city commissioners at their special called meeting Monday, June 10th.
While understanding her sentiment, tourism commissioner, Joe Bailey, offered a different perspective.
Watts also mentioned that the city had recently dropped the Tourism Commission’s board insurance, a move that adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing tensions between the two entities. Watts and Bailey had an exchange on the decision.
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Watts began to hand out copies of the notice received by tourism, which read:

“The City of Park City, KY strives to ensure that all city business is conducted in a way that is in line with Kentucky law and local ordinances. It has been brought to our attention that the Park City Tourism Commission has not been meeting their requirements pursuant to KRS 91A.390.

91A.390 Room tax — Special transient room tax — Authorization for additional tax by a county with a city of the first class, urban-county governments, and multicounty tourist and convention commissions — Revenue bonds.

(1) (a) The commission shall annually submit to the local governing body or bodies which established it a request for funds for the operation of the commission

Beginning on May 6th, 2024, the Tourism Commission must submit a formal request for fund to the Mayor and the City Commission for the months of May 2024 and June 2024. A request for funds must be submitted for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 the week prior to the June meeting. The request for funds must be approved by the Mayor and the City Commission. The request must include the amount of money being requested a budget outlining how the money will be spent.

Additionally, by Friday, May 10th the Park City Tourism Commission must provide insurance on all commissioners, should they deem it necessary. The City of Park City, KY will terminate its policy on Monday 13th pursuant to Kentucky Revised Statutes.”

According to Watts, this letter was received on May 12th.

The Park City Tourism Commission will continue to operate and hold meetings as it navigates these recent developments.
Further discussions and decisions are expected in the coming weeks as both the commission and city officials work through the implications of the dissolution move.