Waukesha Pewaukee Tourism Commission approves funding packages after trimming requests

The Waukesha Pewaukee Tourism Commission voted to allocate its projected tourism-tax revenues across city and community requests, approving a series of reduced funding packages after members debated revenue shortfalls and the commission’s fund balance.

Commissioners used a working revenue projection that left roughly $630,000 available for disbursement. Staff and industry representatives told the commission year-to-date collections were tracking below the $1 million target used in past years and that final 2025 receipts could land closer to last year’s level, roughly $900,000. Commission staff noted $2.70 of each taxable dollar is expected to go to the city general fund, reducing the pool available for commission grants.

The commission approved the City of Pewaukee’s combined $240,000 request — $40,000 to supplement tourism-staff marketing time and $200,000 toward synthetic-turf installation at the Pewaukee Sports Complex. “So initially the $400,000 payment from the tourism commission was $200,000 from fund balance and then $200,000 from the operational budget,” a city representative explained, noting the project is near completion and that final costs will be determined in next year’s budget process.

The Waukesha Pewaukee Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) received $289,260 for ongoing operations; commissioners agreed to defer a $30,000 baseball-campaign request for reconsideration in the spring. CVB Director Tammy Tritz described tactics used to attract association business — including FAM tours and targeted digital campaigns — and highlighted a recently contracted January–April 2026 youth bowling event expected to generate about 565 sleeping-room nights in Pewaukee. “We have just over 1,500 hotel rooms total between the two,” Tritz said, describing capacity split across Pewaukee and Waukesha.

Positively Pewaukee’s new director, Nikki Wittick, asked for $85,900 to support Taste on the Lake operating expenses, marketing, merchandise and a website rebrand. She told the commission she increased sponsorship revenue and digital reach since starting in May, saying revenue tied to this year’s Taste on the Lake was “up by 450%” compared with the prior year. The commission approved a reduced, receipt-based package for Positively Pewaukee totaling $74,500 that preserved major event and website funding while trimming other line items.

The Kiwanis Club was granted $9,000 for its Beach Party and $1,000 for the River Run, both described as fundraising events whose proceeds support local grants and the food pantry. A steering-committee representative outlined a Village of Pewaukee proposal to mark the community’s upcoming anniversaries with a slate of signature events, including expanded fireworks and a drone show; the commission approved $77,000 toward the village’s festival needs with the expectation of additional sponsorship and fundraising.

Commissioners expressed caution about drawing from fund balance. Staff estimates of the commission fund’s balance varied during discussion — one estimate cited roughly $700,000 while another suggested a lower, more conservative figure closer to $350,000–$400,000 after accounting treatments for the turf project. The commission agreed to treat the village anniversary items as a one-time, special set of costs and to revisit certain marketing allocations in the spring to ensure sustainable budgeting.

Votes were recorded by voice for each motion and carried with aye responses; the meetings’ procedural motions — approval of minutes and adjournment — also passed by voice vote.

The commission adjourned after completing the funding votes and instructed staff to follow up with applicants about receipt-based reimbursement requirements and next steps for projects that will continue into 2026.