New Berlin Tourism Commission elects officers, approves minutes and 2026 budget

The New Berlin Tourism Commission met Aug. 13 and completed routine business including approval of minutes from its June 11 meeting, election of officers and unanimous approval of the proposed 2026 tourism budget.

In roll call the commission recorded Alderman Horvinsky, Commissioner Zappara and Commissioner Rocco present while Commissioners O'Loughlin and Anderson were excused; City Attorney Tom Schmitzer was also listed as present earlier in the meeting. The chair declared a quorum and the meeting proceeded to business.

A motion to approve the minutes from the June 11, 2025 meeting was made and seconded and passed unanimously. The commission then opened nominations for officers. An unidentified commissioner nominated 'Commissioner Herbinsky' for chair and the nomination was seconded; the motion to elect that nominee passed unanimously. The commission likewise nominated and elected 'Gary' as vice chair and 'John' as treasurer; both elections were approved by unanimous vote.

The budget for 2026 was presented as largely unchanged from prior years. Staff said the proposed budget is 99% identical to recent budgets with the principal change being a salary and benefits cost-share adjustment. The staff presentation noted the cost-share had been $20.80 last year and would move to $25.75 under the 2026 plan. After discussion, a motion to approve the 2026 budget was made and seconded and the commission approved it unanimously.

The agenda included a hotel update that the chair deferred to the next meeting because the staff member noted to present it was not available. The commission then moved to adjourn and ended the meeting at 3:14 p.m.

The vote totals for the recorded motions were unanimous in each case; the transcript did not record distinct yes/no tallies by individual commissioner names for each vote beyond the verbal 'aye' recorded during roll calls.