Bill > S132

This bill establishes the Swannanoa Valley Tourism Development Authority (SVTDA), a new public authority within Buncombe County focused on promoting tourism in the Swannanoa Valley district, which includes the Broad River, Black Mountain, and Swannanoa Townships. Under the bill, Buncombe County will remit a portion of its room occupancy tax (up to 2%) collected from these specific townships directly to the SVTDA. The new authority will be required to use at least two-thirds of its funds to promote travel and tourism through activities like advertising, publishing promotional materials, and conducting market research, with the remaining funds allocated to tourism-related expenditures such as infrastructure development and initiatives designed to attract tourists or business travelers. The SVTDA will be composed of at least nine members, with at least one-third representing businesses that collect tax in the district and at least half being actively involved in tourism promotion. Members will serve without compensation and elect a chair, with the Buncombe County finance officer serving as the ex officio finance officer. The authority will be required to submit quarterly and annual financial reports to the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. The bill's provisions will take effect only after the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners adopts a resolution creating the SVTDA, with tax distribution changes applying from the fiscal quarter following the resolution's adoption.

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S132