Elkhart County CVB asks commissioners to raise innkeeper-tax budget as collections climb

John Hunsberger, executive director of the Elkhart County Convention & Visitors Bureau, told county commissioners on Sept. 11 that the bureau is asking to align its 2026 spending with growing innkeeper-tax collections and the agency's program plan.

Hunsberger said the bureau contracts annually with the Innkeeper Tax Commission and asked the board to increase the budget cap that governs how much of the tax the CVB can plan to spend in a given year. He said the bureau is requesting an increase on the innkeeper-tax portion from $2.6 million to $2.9 million, and that its total proposed budget for 2026 is $3.1 million. The CVB explained that historical overcollections have produced carryovers held by the treasurer’s office that the bureau cannot spend until the next calendar year unless the budget ceiling is raised.

Why it matters: The CVB uses innkeeper-tax dollars for marketing and event support that the bureau says draws visitors and hotel-night stays into Elkhart County. Commissioners and other elected officials pressed CVB leaders on how much the bureau spends on events, staff overhead and on how innkeeper-tax dollars are collected and held.

What the CVB said

Hunsberger outlined the CVB’s 2025 business plan and a long list of events and attractions supported by…