City commissioners Thursday spent much time listening to opinions on, and discussing, whether to hire a consultant to help map out a city tourism plan.

Local singer Grady Lee opposed spending the money – up to about $40,000 – to hire a consultant because the city already has the resources to produce such a plan, he said, citing the Downtown Association, the Greater Marshall Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, the Main Street organization and the Marshall Economic Development Corporation.

Henry Bradbury, chairman of the city's Economic Restructuring Committee, told commissioners he believes the city should hire a tourism consultant because tourism is a complex issue that needs outside expertise to put together in a timely and effective manner.

Commissioners later decided to explore their options regarding the price they would have to pay for a tourism plan, written by an independent consultant, and what they would get for the price.