County counsel presented draft ballot language to increase the county lodging tax from 2% to 5% (excluding Cortez), estimating $404,598 in 2027 revenue and specifying uses including tourism promotion, recreation infrastructure and destination development; language will be refined before submission to the clerk.

Consultants told the Walton County TDC that email, deeper audience segmentation and a content-focused website are the highest-return marketing investments; the team emphasized collaboration with local partners and said AI-powered search could improve discovery.

The City Council voted unanimously Oct. 15 to adopt Resolution 25-107 declaring its intent to form the West Sacramento Tourism Marketing District (WSTMD). The hotel-led district would levy a minimum 2% assessment on qualifying hotel stays to fund marketing and destination development, with an initial five‑year term and expected annual revenue of at