Kosciusko County tourism commission approves 2026 budget, endorses new logo concept

The Kosciusko County Convention, Recreation and Visitors Commission approved a proposed 2026 budget and endorsed a concept for a new county tourism logo at its regular meeting.

The commission approved a proposed budget that totals $993,000, allocating $535,000 to the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), $168,000 to the County Community and Athletic Complex (CCAC), $260,000 for grants, and $30,000 for administration. Commission member John, who presented the financials, said the commission held “close to a million dollars” in accounts but noted some funds are already obligated. The commission approved the financial report and the proposed budget by voice vote.

Budget details and why it matters: the CVB and CCAC allocations fund tourism promotion and facilities programming; the grants line supports local events and publicity that the commission says aim to draw visitors and hotel stays to Kosciusko County. John told the commission that tax collections through April trailed the prior year by about $20,000 but that later months showed an improving trend.

Commission members described the proposed budget as a modest increase over current spending, with the draft containing roughly a 7.5% overall rise compared with the previous year driven by higher allocations to the CVB, CCAC and the grants program. The CCAC allocation was increased to cover a second audit, the commission said, noting audit costs run roughly $12,000–$13,000 annually.

On branding, the commission reviewed three logo concepts developed for county tourism marketing and agreed by consensus to move forward with a stylized “K” concept that will be matched to Creative Kosciusko’s established blue and font family. Commissioners asked staff to supply the Creative Kosciusko brand guide (colors and fonts) to the logo designer so the new mark can be provided in versions suitable for web, single‑color print and full‑color uses. The commission agreed as a group that a multicolor version is acceptable for digital/marketing use provided single‑color variants are available for print and merchandise.

What happens next: staff will work with the designer to finalize files and color specifications and circulate the final draft to commissioners; an email approval by commissioners was discussed to meet time-sensitive printing needs for upcoming events.

Commission members present led the votes by voice: the financial report and budget were approved without recorded roll-call tallies during the meeting.