FLORENCE – The resolution to reorganize the Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Board and place it under the City of Florence City Council, was approved Tuesday by a unanimous vote from the City Council.
The revisions for this legislation involves incorporating the board with an act from the Alabama Legislature. And even though the resolution passed, some people at the meeting on Tuesday say it still contains blemishes that could be potentially harmful. One of the main reasons for changing the organizational structure of the Board was to protect board members from personal liability. Some folks at Tuesday night’s meeting said that they did not believe that the changes go far enough to provide the board members protection.
Tourism Board member, Earnest Haygood has been one of the most outspoken on his position against the local act, insisting that it is an attempt by Florence City officials to draw off of the $840,000 in lodging taxes the board is currently collecting.
Haygood said during the meeting “What is the big hurry on this? Why not wait until the next session of the Legislature and get everybody on board?”
Other Florence citizens at the meeting such as Silka Mitchell manager of Residence Inn by Marriott, and Vicky Romine manager of 
the Hampton Inn Suites, claim that the bill does not allow equal representation in the people within the hospitality industry . “There is $800,000 generated from hotels and there is no proper representation.” Mitchell said.
There has also been a concern that there has never been a requirement for hospitality representatives on the board. Haygood himself claims he has tried twice to get the Legislature to place that requirement in the act but it was prevented by the County Commission.
Councilman Barry Morris and Councilman Andy Betterton said they too, had some concerns, but in the end they supported.
Mayor Mickey Haddock said insists the most important part of this new legislation is trust, and that there has never been any intent to weaken the tourism board or take its money.
If the bill is signed into law by the governor, the City Council will vote at the first meeting after it has been signed. Once it is voted upon and if approved, the tourism board will be incorporated into the City governmental organization.
