Visit McKinney Unveils $1.72M Budget Proposal for Fiscal Year 2026

McKinney's tourism sector is set for a significant boost as the Visit McKinney board prepares to present a proposed budget of $1.72 million for fiscal year 2026, reflecting a $177,000 increase from the previous year. This budget, primarily funded through hotel occupancy taxes, aims to enhance marketing efforts and improve operational capabilities to better promote the city as a tourist destination.

During a recent meeting, Executive Director Erin Wharton outlined the budget's key components, emphasizing the need for increased marketing expenditures to keep pace with the growing tourism landscape. "We are below the trajectory of what we need to be spending on marketing," Wharton stated, highlighting the importance of making McKinney's offerings more visible to potential visitors.

The proposed budget includes a significant allocation for travel and training, which has not been updated in several years. This increase is intended to support the sales team’s efforts in engaging directly with event planners and promoting McKinney through face-to-face interactions. Additionally, the budget addresses the need for office space renovations to accommodate new staff and future growth.

In a related development, the city has begun implementing a new ordinance to collect taxes from VRBO properties, aligning McKinney with other Texas cities that already benefit from such measures. This initiative is expected to streamline revenue collection from short-term rentals, ensuring that all rental properties contribute fairly to the local economy.

The meeting also introduced Sarah Nolting as the new Senior Communications and Media Specialist, who will play a crucial role in auditing current marketing strategies and enhancing the city’s promotional efforts. The marketing agency Weir Stewart is scheduled to conduct extensive photography and videography sessions, which will provide fresh content for future campaigns.

As McKinney prepares for the upcoming TACVB conference, the board is optimistic about the potential for increased tourism and community engagement. The proposed budget will be presented to the city council for approval in early September, marking a pivotal step in McKinney's efforts to elevate its status as a premier destination in Texas.