Wayne County Tourism Commission met in Special Session Monday, March 3rd at the
Aspire Center. Chairman Scott Upchurch and commission members were present, along
with Judge Executive Scott Gehring.
Monticello-Wayne County Chamber of Commerce board member Derek Phillips was
present and addressed the commission concerning the potential of bringing tourism and
the chamber under one umbrella and rename the current chamber office a “Welcome
Center.” Phillips said this is done is other areas of the state. According to Phillips, the
current chamber office was gifted by a local bank so the chamber pays no rent. Phillips
said however that although they are still in the black, their money saved is being chipped
away, and they do not have money to do other things that chambers do in other parts of
the state. Phillips ask that the commission consider doing a 75/25 split to help pay the
salary of the Chamber’s Administrative and Program Coordinator, position pays $800 weekly, therefore under his proposal, the county’s tourism
commission would pay $200 weekly, which equals $10,400 annually. Phillips said if
tourism was willing to do that, they could have their logo on a downtown sign, and the Chamber
could answer phones for Tourism, and possibly perform other tasks. Phillips told the
commission that he wasn’t seeking an answer immediately, but just “pitching” the idea
out for the commissioners deliberation and possible action at a later date. After some
discussion, no action on the proposal was taken.
Tourism Director Mikki Simmons informed commissioners she had used ARPA money
to print three brochures and a tourism book all highlighting Wayne County. Simmons
said ARPA funds, which amounted to roughly $20,000 had to be spent by December 31,
2024 or the money would be returned to the federal government.
Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize Wayne County Judge Executive Scott
Gehring to solicit a cost estimate from the auditing firm that currently does the county
government audit, since Tourism is an arm of county government.
Financials revealed that as of December 30, 2024 the commission had a checking
account balance of $168,122.
In other action, Commissioners:
- Agreed to donate $500 to the Wayne County Project Graduation.
• Set the Lake Cumberland Cruise In budget at $2,000 for the 2025 season. - Agreed to pay $300 in membership dues to the Kentucky Association of Convention
and Visitors Bureau
Next meeting of the Wayne County Tourism Commission is March 26, 2025.