To: Dr. Beverly Brown, Community & Economic Development Committee Chairperson
From: Joshua Freeman, Director of Administration
title
RE: Approval of an agreement between Genesee County and Wayman Britt Enterprises to provide for the creation of the Genesee County Sports & Entertainment Commission; the cost of this agreement will be paid for from the Accommodation Tax Fund
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval of an agreement between Genesee County and Wayman Britt Enterprises to provide consulting services to create the Genesee County Sports & Entertainment Commission.
BACKGROUND:
The Board of Commissioners has entertained the creation of a sports facility that would be used for travel sports, local sporting opportunities, and partnerships with local stakeholders to create economic benefits for the County. Last month, the Board of Commissioners approved the creation of a Sports & Entertainment Commission that would oversee the implementation of programming to capture a greater share of the of this economic driver.
DISCUSSION:
In discussing a path forward, Genesee County was approached by former Kent County Administrator, Wayman Britt, to help create a model in Genesee County that would replicate the West Michigan Sports Commission. Mr. Britt was instrumental in providing the data and reasoning that ultimately led to the creation of the Commission in Kent County. Several commissioners conducted a site visit in Kent County in April. During that visit, the group heard from several former Kent County commissioners, the director of the Commission, as well as the former director of the local CVB. In addition to those discussions, the group visited the outdoor sports complex in Portage. After that meeting, there was further discussion with Mr. Britt and Mr. Wilson about the prospects of moving forward with this process. Commissioners asked that a draft contract be presented for consideration by the full Board of Commissioners.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
There will be no impact on Human Resources.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
There is sufficient fund balance in the Accommodations Tax Fund to perform this work and honor this contract. The goal of creating this Commission is to increase sports and entertainment tourism to Genesee County. As such, this expenditure meets the requirements of the Accommodation Tax Ordinance. This will be paid from account 2180-729.00-804.000. A budget amendment is attached.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
There will be no impact on Facilities.
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
There is no impact on Technology.
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
The Board of County Commissioners have adopted Community and Economic Growth as its number one priority. In creating this commission, we expect to see significant economic impact, over time, that will aid in fueling community and economic growth in Genesee County.
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the request by the Director of Administration to authorize entering into a three-year Consultant Services Agreement between Genesee County and Wayman Britt Enterprises, LLC, whereby the contractor will provide strategic, organizational, and implementation consulting services to support the County’s initiative to establish the Genesee County Sports Commission as an independent 501(c)(3) organization, at a cost not to exceed $7,500.00 each month for the first 24 months, and at a cost not to exceed $3,500.00 each month for the final 12 months, to be paid from account 2180-729.00-804.000 (Accommodation Tax), is approved (a copy of the memorandum request and supporting documents being on file with the official records of the June 10, 2026 meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee of the this Board), the Chairperson of this Board is authorized to execute the agreement on behalf of the Genesee County, and the Chief Financial Officer is directed to record the attached budget amendment.