[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6193292,"mediaKeyId","3868007-ad2cfcbb30fca79f6014f3a9b5ce30e3","parentId",3868007,"title","Commission approves $45,017.87 payout to Engage Franklin; tables Weir Nature Center funding request","audioSeconds",63,"startMs",2751000,"endMs",2814000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3868007-ad2cfcbb30fca79f6014f3a9b5ce30e3&start=2751&end=2814","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3868007-ad2cfcbb30fca79f6014f3a9b5ce30e3/thumbnail_2751000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6193292/Franklin-City/Milwaukee-County/Wisconsin/Commission-approves-4501787-payout-to-Engage-Franklin-tables-Weir-Nature-Center-funding-request","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193292-66868772cf77e6998784460b541b4fc9/orig.mp4?Expires=1774607573&Signature=YYTRmD~q9UMb9zttL4o1z1xVfGeJyLGiL-AmbqJFVJNFhCbQUZAlnxN3Q4296qmwaRCt5AujL~43B4wdrtHIg7Es4u9yzoWY-DeOdo3tzP1UNr0qAV71LA4lpobwNwL2OScYEqmmEXwRZzX0ApXUFYhcuL~v1R3i1Ruk8Pm9Sjk2A0chLZDKaEoWKW4EEcOYnsLPE7cxnGr9Mw1WXn6oEq~HH0~9CJsc4mpO7BDY6fPSStpTVHD1wWPY0D0gZdRZs2fqwpWajNmZKBT-mEfe5tX0R5~7hcTj~etJyJrE6vB7udUh8XdV~yXxJiEUbgjSaCIHxSZd02Lbj0q4DojeMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Franklin, WI","date","2025-06-19T18:41:45Z","article","The Franklin Tourism Commission approved a voucher to pay Engage Franklin $45,017.87 and discussed whether to fund a Weir Nature Center fundraiser that the Nature Center proposed as a grant request.

Treasurer figures presented to the commission showed total room tax receipts of $60,823.82 for April and May; the commission approved paying 75% of those receipts to Engage Franklin, resulting in a voucher for $45,017.87. Commissioner Mark Wiley moved to approve the voucher; Commissioner Barbara Wisser seconded the motion. The motion carried with all present voting aye and no opposition.

Separately, commissioners reviewed an emailed request from Carly Hintz (a contact linked to the Weir Nature Center) for support of a cider-sundae fundraiser that the Nature Center expects to use as a material fundraiser and promotional event. Commissioners discussed whether the event would generate overnight stays — the standard metric the commission often cites when considering grants — and noted the Nature Center draws visitors from multiple counties in southeast Wisconsin. Several commissioners said the event likely produces day visits and community benefit but that its direct link to room-night generation was unclear.

Commissioners reviewed the commission’s retained funds and grant/marketing allocations during the discussion. Speakers referenced that the commission has a grant fund (spoken of as roughly $35,000) and a marketing line item (spoken of as roughly $15,000), and that Engage Franklin receives 75% of room tax collections while the commission retains the remainder for grants and other uses. Commissioners discussed options: refer the Nature Center request to Engage Franklin for vetting and potential fee-based support, fund it from the commission’s grant line, or defer while fuller attendance and overnight-stay estimates are collected.

The commission did not approve funding for the Weir Nature Center at the meeting. Commissioners agreed to place the request on the next meeting’s agenda (to be considered under new/unfinished business) and asked staff to notify the Nature Center that the request will be discussed again and to invite Engage Franklin to the next board meeting to advise on eligibility and potential marketing support.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tourism Commission Meeting 6-18-2025 - 6 PM","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved a payment voucher to Engage Franklin for $45,017.87 (75% of received room tax) and discussed a Weir Nature Center fundraiser request; commissioners agreed to defer action and asked staff to coordinate with Engage Franklin on grant and marketing options.","taxTitle","Franklin City, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin","taxId",55414,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6193297,"Commission hears Engage Franklin report: youth basketball, bowling and horseshoe events lining up for shoulder seasons",193,101000,294000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3868007-ad2cfcbb30fca79f6014f3a9b5ce30e3&start=101&end=294","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3868007-ad2cfcbb30fca79f6014f3a9b5ce30e3/thumbnail_101000.jpg","/articles/6193297/Franklin-City/Milwaukee-County/Wisconsin/Commission-hears-Engage-Franklin-report-youth-basketball-bowling-and-horseshoe-events-lining-up-for-shoulder-seasons","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193297-0fdf97b4dbfb678c131ff02cee53fb8f/orig.mp4?Expires=1774607573&Signature=Pog~eJ8-kHmQV09EVV3F1I~iSJtIdOIrteDSFb6BxN~1YZ3iAi3qk7Uy8hHE6KX8ccGbJloENiFmzmO2EWrPmjKASfVZTxQqm7wtBa2UKcocILotUB-uSKSnHZwfrwvAXmuN9KKcupdFHHmqtxY0gVoEZLse0vEjPF4hUn5MiZcRF3j5jusjHw5wAOCcEXQf7Er6UqCiU4F70hnz14RIhWYuK1tBMX18bITRV6ZY~RUZ7SG~jdij6nypMxRx5~PNGFhQ5-uU2saRcKobq752n7dInMYXjmnDkKDS3gREqZxJ3IJ39oQycFeVbyWh~4TSWWHA5WGZ6WTwrZJkXd54Jw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners heard a report on recent and prospective event bookings intended to fill Franklin’s shoulder seasons and support local hotels and restaurants.

An Engage Franklin representative summarized recent successes: a June youth basketball tournament run by an organizer identified as DY Sports (also referenced as E Y Sport) drew local activity and prompted efforts to book fall and winter youth basketball weekends when baseball is quiet. Staff also described discussions with an organizer called West Coast Premier Baseball for August weekend events and outreach to the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association (NHBA) about hosting horseshoe championships in Franklin.

Commissioners and staff said Tammy is working to promote a Root River bowling tournament with the goal of making it a premier event; Tammy told the commission that promotions will be available soon and that the aim is to attract multi-day attendance to support hotels and restaurants. Commissioners noted that baseball and other summer sports already fill summer weekends and that targeting festivals, tournaments and events in shoulder seasons could increase weekday and off-season visitation.

No formal motions were made. Commissioners asked staff to continue pursuing bookings for fall and winter and to return with promotional materials and estimates of attendee numbers, as available.","Engage Franklin reported that organizers have booked youth basketball tournaments for fall/winter, are pursuing West Coast Premier baseball for August weekends, and are promoting a Root River bowling tournament as a potential shoulder-season draw.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6193302,"Tourism commission weighs website, visitor-guide overhaul and SEO fix for 'Celebrate Franklin' redirect",611,860000,1471000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3868007-ad2cfcbb30fca79f6014f3a9b5ce30e3&start=860&end=1471","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3868007-ad2cfcbb30fca79f6014f3a9b5ce30e3/thumbnail_860000.jpg","/articles/6193302/Franklin-City/Milwaukee-County/Wisconsin/Tourism-commission-weighs-website-visitor-guide-overhaul-and-SEO-fix-for-Celebrate-Franklin-redirect","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193302-93ccaeb7821f6d841ab3afbae648ecf8/orig.mp4?Expires=1774607573&Signature=aOnJ09ziuKsFIWrCsNzZd2UguCLhZ1qB8A8ODScQbP-8wFD9hdW5BBN3M3xQVQ~6nuDpzPha9~q2ERd0cRMTcaNLTNtSRW2tA4wxgZpQ4xtX87zmUe7L2fqP5BYVqV7noe9ejGIRmCCZz17SGzTmzgb17smKO3ac0aGS8eiXKt6P9qAOchx5Q~7GwR-7HCDD77raGOttozxVFsFFCup7hQ7xE7ZI~tiWmAUBdFW4gxZ0LdPA1FlNuorPbRahpa2IspYmn4G5Ld2dPZMV500lAzJMOI0NMzLyN0D3kuJIzx0VTOZje72qzcIDrtk9psNk98SexURWbGuWUjSsFZbrZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Franklin Tourism Commission on a routine meeting discussed steps to improve the city’s visitor-facing website and printed visitors guide and to fix a lingering search-engine redirect that still surfaces an older \"Celebrate Franklin\" site.

Commissioners said the current web presence is confusing to potential visitors because both the city pages and the older Celebrate Franklin site appear in search results; members urged staff to finish transferring control so visitors searching for \"Celebrate Franklin\" are redirected to the newer Engage Franklin pages. Commissioner Barbara Wisser raised the issue after checking Google results and said the Celebrate Franklin pages still appear as a shell in searches, which can confuse users looking for lodging and events.

Commissioners and participants discussed examples from other communities, including Pleasant Prairie, and a vendor referenced as McDaniels (a private firm with a regional representative) that produced Pleasant Prairie’s site. Members said they were less interested in a specific vendor than in the “look-and-feel” and capabilities — itinerary planning, CRM components and ticket-selling integrations — that would let staff produce and sell itineraries, sell tickets and hand off site maintenance without vendor lock-in.

Commissioners said the site's search-engine ranking and redirection need attention from city staff and from Brandon, who has been working on the transfer. They requested that Engage Franklin and city staff confirm that Celebrate Franklin is redirected or disabled at the top-search level so the public lands on current listings and event pages.

The discussion also covered the visitors guide content and a desire to make the guide partly revenue-neutral through advertising sales once the product is established, and the potential for Engage Franklin to offer ticketing and fee-based services to smaller local event organizers. No formal votes were taken; commissioners asked staff to follow up with Engage Franklin and city IT and to place the items on the next agenda for action.

Commissioners said they will pursue a clearer handoff plan with Brandon and with Engage Franklin leadership so that search results and site content present a single, up-to-date resource for prospective visitors.","The Franklin Tourism Commission discussed options to modernize the city's visitor website and printed guide, including a proposal to pursue a vendor-style platform used by similar communities and to ensure Celebrate Franklin redirects to Engage Franklin for search results.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves $45,017.87 payout to Engage Franklin; tables Weir Nature Center funding request

Commission hears Engage Franklin report: youth basketball, bowling and horseshoe events lining up for shoulder seasons

Tourism commission weighs website, visitor-guide overhaul and SEO fix for 'Celebrate Franklin' redirect