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