The Polk County Board of Commissioners recently approved a budget amendment for $18,042 in order to hire a temporary, part-time employee for the tourism department.

Commissioners met Feb. 2 and approved the budget amendment to increase revenues and expenditures for additional temporary staffing needs for tourism with additional estimated revenues that will be collected this fiscal year.

Polk County Economic Development Director Robert Williamson said the county will use revenues received from the county’s occupancy tax that were not previously spent. The revenues can be carried over year to year as an occupancy tax fund balance, Williamson said.

The money will be used to promote travel and tourism in Polk County with Williamson saying the county needs the staff to cover the tourism office during normal business hours and some Saturdays in order to catch up on updating tourism materials and website postings.

Polk County Travel and Tourism Director Melinda Massey was directed to post the job listing on the county’s website.