This has caused some concern to several residents who question the decision.

The decision to move the responsibilities in- house under the guide of City Manager George Antuna and other members of the City Administration does not allow for others such as representatives of the hotel industry and community to participate in the committee. That is one of the concerns that those complaining have.

The Room Tax is a taxation levied on hotel rooms, which is then handed over by the state to local governments to use in a manner that will promote tourism with the purpose of bringing people in to rent out local hotel rooms.

Those complaining of the recent move believe that by the City concentrating efforts into the City's Trade Center with more room tax money could in fact cut off opportunities to assist other organizations and events that bring in hotel occupants.

"The City's Trade Center has been in existence for close to 15 years and has not worked out,” says a concerned citizen.

"For years the city has had to subsidize its operations from room tax money and I don't think it has worked or is going to work.”

“Not even Laredo was able to make it work. They had to sell their center to a private company,” said another resident. City Manager George Antuna stated that he understood the citizens concerns but that in fact the City opted to move the responsibilities in-house to monitor those requests and how the funding is dispersed.

“We want to make sure that what we do, works. If we are going to fund organizations and events through the room tax money we need to make sure that they are really putting heads in beds at our hotels. This is part of the requirements under the law that governs the hotel occupancy tax,” said Antuna. "We are looking into luring mid-size conventions into our community and the ITC is a huge part of that plan. We are in no way looking to cut off anyone. Everyone who wishes to request funding from the Room Tax may do so, and we will study those requests and determine what will be best for everyone.”