Room Tax Commission approves funds for local events and trails, denies CVA request; flower-basket funding fails

The Wausau Room Tax Commission approved funding for several local events and infrastructure items for calendar year 2026 and denied one arts-marketing request after commissioners said the proposal did not show sufficient tourism return.

Actions taken (votes at a glance)

- Wings Over Wausau — approved $20,000 (motion by Henke; second by Wolitsky). Commissioners discussed regional draw for 2026, sponsorship outreach and strategies to book more rooms in Wausau proper. The event’s organizers said they are pursuing regional sponsors and expect the 2026 show to draw beyond the immediate area because other regional air shows are not operating that year.

- Fourth of July fireworks — approved $10,000. The events organizer said recent federal tariffs on fireworks increased costs and the budget reflects a roughly 30% tariff band; the commission approved the requested support and discussed marketing links to hotel booking engines to capture…