[{"_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",5984717,"mediaKeyId","5793541-d64714adf8c95df5945bf8c2b926cc7e","parentId",5793541,"title","BMI staff outlines trolley programming, driver needs and sales hire; contract review planned","audioSeconds",210,"startMs",808000,"endMs",1018000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5793541-d64714adf8c95df5945bf8c2b926cc7e&start=808&end=1018","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5793541-d64714adf8c95df5945bf8c2b926cc7e/thumbnail_808000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5984717/Jefferson-County/Indiana/BMI-staff-outlines-trolley-programming-driver-needs-and-sales-hire-contract-review-planned","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5984717-4360594057ebc6f933a7fe5359491cdd/orig.mp4?Expires=1776145455&Signature=UCuYVvVCTWo5Yqdex~P4GK7pdBAGJeBEMeGHlvqm3HZXgSeRdQZ3kfrONfulISgZ-9ZD4fkcIRVqbQ0avF~dFV~lb~sQxTuCpebTk6dTsS9SInH~fQZCAIMrnUt30NPeglORdIq66jcgT60rh-wRTRG6cygnSJ2r6wT42wzUwoat-l8htkzcDW1EE7yaVBYOOxia-OZbpCAG8yNfRbk0nQ2DRsM7Js~DwzsEq8~q31gzFnDyVUyDcQwuRnb2aw4fm2tsPMbQyIpjZRZUjPMYClzh5oONkOEg~~-lTwgKs56TC69kVqAho50yrxk0zaEFSr4e7eR76sr9R71GuXy~8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Jefferson County IN","date","2025-09-15T23:35:25Z","article","Jefferson County tourism staff updated the board Sept. 15 on operations and marketing programs run by BMI, outlining new trolley loops, themed events and staffing needs. \"If you haven't taken a ride, if you haven't come for the paid tour, let us know,\" one presenter said, encouraging board members to sample the trolley experience.

Staff described upcoming programming that includes free summer loops, a Hanover College loop for Chautauqua weekend, haunted-history \"spooky\" tours in the fall, and a \"Holly Jolly\" Santa Express during the nights before Christmas. The presenter said visitation patterns showed fewer unique visitors but that those who came stayed longer and took more overnight trips, and that some short-term rental and hotel daily rates rose.

On operations, staff asked for help filling driver openings. When asked about compensation, the presenter said, \"It's about $30 an hour. It's on a contract basis.\" Staff noted that drivers must hold a CDL with a passenger endorsement and that additional drivers or guides would help cover absences and expanded programming. The board also heard that BMI is finalizing a new salesperson hire and hoped the person would be onboard soon to support hotel sales and partnerships.

Staff said they will begin discussions about the county contract with BMI and expect to circulate proposed contract thoughts later this month or in October. Board members emphasized better communication between hoteliers and BMI staff about upcoming groups and conferences so accommodations can coordinate with marketing outreach. No formal staffing hires, pay changes, or contract amendments were finalized at the Sept. 15 meeting; staff presented operational updates and requested board support for recruitment and outreach.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Jefferson County Board of Tourism Meeting on Monday, 15 September 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the Sept. 15 meeting Jefferson County tourism staff (BMI) described trolley programming, haunted- and holiday-themed offerings, a need for additional drivers (pay about $30/hour), an impending sales hire, and plans to revisit the county contract later this fall.","taxTitle","Jefferson County, Indiana","taxId",52164,"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},5984721,"Unbroken Circle and recent events bring out-of-area visitors; board notes spike in overnight stays",154,1097000,1251000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5793541-d64714adf8c95df5945bf8c2b926cc7e&start=1097&end=1251","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5793541-d64714adf8c95df5945bf8c2b926cc7e/thumbnail_1097000.jpg","/articles/5984721/Jefferson-County/Indiana/Unbroken-Circle-and-recent-events-bring-out-of-area-visitors-board-notes-spike-in-overnight-stays","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5984721-bbf8c7c67d9b2aaab8842f1cef2bd760/orig.mp4?Expires=1776145455&Signature=DkCDNx7WiNxcsNowzXfT~IvuhPwW7KBC0Kj6ddGXgh-FNjMQ6OFNMCdOezf7O4aqVHED2kwFaa0Lrt7My3-m3iLCTBsrgaKmqaiceN6WVoLkNgZQrmSPcaCM6oNlS5ujFY1PSiAernJUlHMTvNAA4l7VfB0fzzDKsxzmeVmTmQAwm2FcX95yh0J4XIB07HI4UeMz5S0N-0Jl7Rl7YCyroITmMA598mEKZOXg~1m3e4b-mFMVx2wGFLgu84TiT9LA4uIfIDkfZ~gs7NuF1kVmZnB01Ba3LmuXVOIzZEhicS4VGrmTNoucAZ1CLIx~vhZIjuPFq5HBhO0gjCmAIQPw7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jefferson County tourism staff told the board Sept. 15 that recent events, including Unbroken Circle and Vintage Thunder, produced significant out-of-area visitation and a rise in overnight stays. \"We had about 10,000 unique visitors over the course of Friday, Saturday,\" a staff presenter said, adding that \"about 70%...came from more than 35 miles away\" and \"45% of those came from more than 50 miles away.\"

Those visitation patterns translated into hotel and rental demand: board members reported Fairfield Inn was sold out Friday and Saturday during the events, and short-term rental hosts said nightly rates increased. One board member who operates lodging said the event “turned out to be great” and estimated the event could help hotels “beat it by 10% or more” next year.

The board heard additional event metrics: staff said American Cruise Lines made 14 visits to the community this summer with roughly 16 planned for next year, and that the county will staff a promotional booth at the America’s River Roots Festival in Cincinnati Sept. 9–12. Board members and staff discussed outreach to event organizers Brent and Drew to analyze detailed visitor data and identify opportunities to capture return visits.

Board discussion also referenced the economic role of Clifty Falls State Park and public lands in drawing visitors; staff said the county recorded roughly 1,000,000 visits in 2024 (visits, not unique visitors) with about 500,000 visits to Clifty Falls and 100,000 of those coming from more than 50 miles away. The board did not adopt new event-related policies at the meeting but asked staff to continue analyzing post-event data and to coordinate on future event dates and promotions.","Board members said Unbroken Circle and other late-summer events drew thousands of nonlocal attendees; staff reported about 10,000 unique visitors over Friday–Saturday with 70% from more than 35 miles away and 45% from over 50 miles.",{"_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},5984724,"Tourism board reports $120,143.78 in August innkeepers tax; approves treasurer's report",74,66000,140000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5793541-d64714adf8c95df5945bf8c2b926cc7e&start=66&end=140","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5793541-d64714adf8c95df5945bf8c2b926cc7e/thumbnail_66000.jpg","/articles/5984724/Jefferson-County/Indiana/Tourism-board-reports-12014378-in-August-innkeepers-tax-approves-treasurers-report","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5984724-225eae06d055e3efec5bbde698af4c28/orig.mp4?Expires=1776145455&Signature=Ve5OfRPbk5xGvLBoOuGzTA8unuJdLNtPXOXv-u1FTdqIvO8daT~5alS4VrV5wNVpmuY1lG6tkCH-gyOJshei3OqkBhl7Pa-yXJSw7xkLqySTS2KmOW7XgOuTH-opdqppv-x9TWtWJc~loPTwqz6TrM4hxWWrOlvTEQ3V3SPCxkZNrkAJqDjyQfwwjZ7EPr2fCT2BMQ6qBtLLHydUE6jgSiwhbhCwCZJMFCLNZ4lsxt2woAa1ewQlbXH8RN7~eZgJUmj8fQJ02pgM1LNYJCMvqp7xs3GVFqTq0btdgiLG66oI2z90oKD~jPD-5zTUbghVHqvwXGsbysUXJsw3Verj5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Jefferson County Board of Tourism accepted its treasurer’s report on Sept. 15, reporting $120,143.78 in August innkeepers tax receipts and $651,676.64 collected year-to-date. Dr. David Braemer, treasurer and attorney at law, presented the figures and said, “We have enough to pay all our budget items now. A little bit left over.”

The report matters because innkeepers tax revenue helps fund tourism programming and vendor claims. The board noted two claims highlighted during the report: a marketing invoice for $14,447.63 and a VMI operating expense claim for $87,880 for the last quarter of the fiscal year. Board members moved to accept the treasurer’s report and the motion carried.

During the meeting the board also handled routine meeting business including approval of minutes earlier in the session and later a motion to adjourn. No new taxes, fee changes, or budget reallocations were adopted during the Sept. 15 meeting; the treasurer’s report and the two claims were presented as part of the routine financial update and accepted by the board.

The board did not provide additional line-item budget detail during the public meeting beyond the two claims called out by Braemer. Implementation or payment timing for the claims was discussed administratively; for one vendor (Vintage Thunder) staff requested an invoice be submitted via email so the claim could be processed promptly.","At its Sept. 15 meeting the Jefferson County Board of Tourism accepted the treasurer's report showing $120,143.78 in August innkeepers tax receipts and year-to-date collections of $651,676.64; two claims were noted for payment.","actionData","errors"]

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BMI staff outlines trolley programming, driver needs and sales hire; contract review planned

Unbroken Circle and recent events bring out-of-area visitors; board notes spike in overnight stays

Tourism board reports $120,143.78 in August innkeepers tax; approves treasurer's report