Washington County judge rejects open records request for tourism agency

A Washington County judge has rejected an open records request by county commissioners seeking detailed financial information from the local Tourism Promotion Agency. In a 27-page order, Judge Michael Lucas ruled that the nonprofit agency is not a government entity and therefore its documents are not subject to the state’s Right To Know Law.

The agency receives approximately $2.5 million in annual hotel tax revenue, which accounts for more than 90% of its total income. While the state Office of Open Records previously determined the agency is not a local government agency, it noted that the county maintains other methods of compliance, such as withholding funding or threatening to dissolve the organization.

County officials, who filed the initial request in April, are expected to appeal the decision.