TRUMBULL COUNTY Commissioners want proposals for tourism

The auditor recommended a new contract to clear up disputes.
By STEPHEN SIFF
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Trumbull County commissioners unanimously voted to yank the county's contract with the county convention and visitors bureau, the same day that a performance audit that found no major problems with bureau operations was released to the public.
Commissioners also voted to invite organizations to submit proposals to promote Trumbull County tourism, which had previously been exclusively the visitors bureau's job.
The visitors bureau had been entirely funded through its contract with Trumbull County, which used money collected through a tax on hotel rooms.
The visitors bureau is expected to submit a proposal to the county, which could be followed by an attempt to negotiate a new contract.
"We will evaluate their proposal," said Commissioner James Tsagaris. "Maybe we will find something cheaper, better."
Recommendations
Although there were no findings for recovery, the performance audit by the Ohio Auditor of State did recommend changes to the contract to settle disputes between the bureau and commissioners.
Contract language specifying how convention board members are appointed and removed should be added, as well as regulations covering how the board may invest money, auditors said.
The audit concluded that the bureau needs to hold some cash in reserve, but not quite as much as it did. The bureau had more than $373,000 in reserve at the end of fiscal year 2002.
The auditors also suggested the bureau adopt a policy manual and a formal method for evaluating its effectiveness. Among other suggestions were that a county commissioner serve on the convention bureau board, that multiyear contracts with the county be considered, and that reasons for terminating the contact be laid out in writing.
The bureau had already started developing a contract based on recommendations in an earlier draft of the audit, said tour manager Wanda Modarelli. She said she was upset the commissioners voted to revoke the bureau's contract.
"We just don't know the basis for it, that's all," she said.
The job of promoting Trumbull County could remain with the convention bureau, despite all that has passed, Commissioner Dan Polivka said.
"I think it is a possibility, from what I've seen," said Polivka. "I think that everybody needs to lay down their guard and come to the table."