[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6514493,"mediaKeyId","5029197-ce713bea697e65be285b1d5dc2b9e8da","parentId",5029197,"title","Tourism commission discusses infrastructure priorities, budget and summertime event updates","audioSeconds",113,"startMs",1567000,"endMs",1680000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5029197-ce713bea697e65be285b1d5dc2b9e8da&start=1567&end=1680","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5029197-ce713bea697e65be285b1d5dc2b9e8da/thumbnail_1567000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6514493/West-Bend-City/Washington-County/Wisconsin/Tourism-commission-discusses-infrastructure-priorities-budget-and-summertime-event-updates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6514493-ed9738248554bf6ee78555a96977aaff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184398&Signature=JylGZxWkTwsQynuCKIwr5Z3Ztv7nTHGt5VcQAc8ElvOB4VpEEm3UQTV6BH4RoN-xNinrkug44imjPhrRBsR8jultRSfCLaJy26Pw10bDYYVcuQojxSNKRjsuCJ0TQk~fGwVzcX07EJgXxy1XpxeMVhWkWOdqrFJt3458EJXsW4sJfMAaLUlJO0Rt8ktvG0Hsa0bezZT0mzp-ZOsVOBH8Yj2lFJ1BaNlnf3D2XPXPcjStkzUdkyurKzHuGs29kuL4dDyuBChc3BSAQzd6b8M3igT7bOsrFDY1BbSF9tVEiiwfqbycHjxouVex6gGfJBMvz3fhYgePv1H7Xt9of9qxOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of West Bend, WI","date","2025-06-17T19:35:46Z","article","The West Bend City Tourism Commission on Tuesday reviewed a worksheet of priorities that included downtown infrastructure projects, a proposal to tier future major grants and next steps for a hotel–convention-center study, and accepted the commission’s financial report.

Commissioners discussed a list of suggested infrastructure projects centered on downtown: downtown restrooms; Old Settlers Park redesign following removal of the gazebo after a vehicle accident; a Riverwalk lighting master plan; community wayfinding (including consideration of digital signboards); expanded holiday decorations; and safety features such as event bollards. The commission’s worksheet noted $75,000 budgeted for tourism‑friendly infrastructure in the current calendar year and an “admin special purpose” budget line of $377,000 that allocates funds for grants and partner entities.

Chair and Commissioner Kirk said outreach to tourism partners — including the Chamber, Moen, and the Downtown West Bend Association — found broad support for the seasonal event promotional grants and interest in a possible tiered major-grant model. The proposed tiered approach discussed as a future option would reduce a first-year major grant from $20,000 to a three-year ramp (year 1: $10,000–$15,000; year 2: $7,500; year 3: $2,500) to limit one‑year risk if an event does not continue.

Commissioners also discussed updating the city’s hotel–convention‑center study, noting staff turnover and inflation since the study’s original completion in 2022–23. John Fellows, director of community development, and the incoming city administrator (starting in August) were identified as stakeholders to be briefed; commissioners asked staff to obtain a cost estimate for any consultant update and, if needed, return in September for approval to contract the work.

Staff reports covered recent and upcoming events. Jacob, a tourism staff member, said last weekend’s Classic Green John Deere collectors event drew substantial out‑of‑state and international attendees, and the department operated a booth at the Ziegler Building. He reported 1,790 registrants so far for an upcoming mud run, noted Global Fest was two weeks away and that staff were preparing for July 4 events and a full‑day promotional photo shoot. Jacob also said visitors had booked rooms in neighboring communities (Saukville, Grafton, Menomonee Falls) for recent events.

Commissioners and staff reported AquaPark’s opening week produced very strong revenues and attendance; staff described the opening-day weather and revenue as among the highest in recent decades.

The commission approved the minutes of the May 6, 2025 tourism commission meeting and accepted the financial report as presented. The meeting briefly recessed into closed session under Wisconsin Statute §19.85 and then reconvened into open session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tourism Commission - June 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners reviewed the commission’s budget breakdown, a worksheet of infrastructure priorities including a proposed Riverwalk lighting plan and Old Settlers Park redesign, and heard staff reports on Classic Green, the mud run and AquaPark attendance; the commission accepted the financial report and approved minutes from May 6, 2025.","taxTitle","West Bend City, Washington County, Wisconsin","taxId",5138,"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},6514498,"Tourism commission approves $20,000 major-event grant for downtown holiday festival",336,1001000,1337000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5029197-ce713bea697e65be285b1d5dc2b9e8da&start=1001&end=1337","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5029197-ce713bea697e65be285b1d5dc2b9e8da/thumbnail_1001000.jpg","/articles/6514498/West-Bend-City/Washington-County/Wisconsin/Tourism-commission-approves-20000-major-event-grant-for-downtown-holiday-festival","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6514498-0a45d3288ff11d1947ca8927ac72a3d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184398&Signature=YxyAuYQfTFMQBN8n2UpjF0eXHi1d6PEu-GWrCAeRsg6nTLKfRcoesoiK~v-iWDnMNWIZ3jmDSUsNGrSOH-EHWUlUGHa4PZCSMHfx~IOwypd~VX5Tp4ypfPlk1-cGc4Qa9Auhaq3jF~TQmrfpCuTPh1y9zyrT3YSSn0~EGNSZPmzLgFHPqqSoPpWzkr1z~LqAr2615uN3n6c5fc3QxusQnLD~URcCeDh7qi1UO-MaoPBuLAavoG66oftqGpy6F36YIwGjAPPk1Aytt7qDwitGWogorkGu4MuDtXf5RAUMTzo2-SY~X9js9iwhnJuzk6-lmLL6~JnzAp5mLq8JC~3b2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Bend City Tourism Commission voted Tuesday to award a $20,000 major-event grant to the Downtown West Bend Association for a late-season holiday festival that would tie into the city’s holiday parade and tree-lighting events.

The commission approved the award after a presentation by Phil, a Downtown West Bend Association representative, and a brief question-and-answer period about sponsorship commitments, site utilities and vendor plans. The grant vote followed a closed-session break; commissioners then reconvened and approved the full $20,000 recommendation.

The grant application described a late-season, family-friendly German-themed market to be held along Sixth Avenue, concluding at Old Settlers Park. Phil said the Downtown Association is partnering with the West Bend Noon Rotary and had approximately $17,000 in sponsor commitments identified, including about $10,000 already pledged through the Rotary and a bridal foundation. He said remaining sponsor funds would be sought before major expenditures.

During discussion, commissioners asked whether the applicant had reviewed tent or fence locations with the fire department and whether utilities at Old Settlers Park would support the event. Phil said the event team had not yet reviewed the site with the fire department and that temporary power panels would likely be required at the Bandshell. Commissioners also discussed cross-marketing with Sunrise Rotary events and vendor recruitment through German cultural clubs.

The commission expressed support for the event’s modest attendance projections and for locating the event on Sixth Avenue to connect to downtown holiday programming. A motion to award the requested $20,000 carried; the transcript records vocal approval but does not list individual roll-call tallies.

The commission’s award decision does not commit the city to fund infrastructure beyond the grant; commissioners asked staff to monitor sponsor receipts and logistics as the event planning proceeds.

Votes at a glance
- Major-event grant to Downtown West Bend Association: approved; amount $20,000; sponsor commitments reported ~ $17,000 (about $10,000 committed). Vote: aye (unanimous vocal approval recorded; no roll-call tally in the transcript).","The West Bend City Tourism Commission voted to award a $20,000 major-event grant to the Downtown West Bend Association for a late-season holiday festival presented with the Noon Rotary; commissioners pressed the applicant on sponsorship commitments and logistics before approving the award.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Tourism commission discusses infrastructure priorities, budget and summertime event updates

Tourism commission approves $20,000 major-event grant for downtown holiday festival