Middleton Tourism Commission adopts proposed 2026 budget with three contingent projects; reclassifies ACRES USA 2025 as a marketing grant

The Middleton Tourism Commission on July 15 approved a proposed 2026 budget of $1,622,210, a 4.2% increase from 2025, and agreed that three planned projects totaling approximately $155,000 would be funded from the tourism fund balance if 2026 revenue does not cover them. Speaker 3 presented the budget and explained the contingencies before the motion to adopt passed.

Speaker 3 described the three projects as a Discover Wisconsin episode (a promotional package previously discussed), a potential new vehicle for commission use (estimated $30,000–$40,000), and a cross-country ski trail grant; together those items total about $155,000 and Speaker 3 proposed they come from the commission's tourism fund balance if necessary. "If we take it out of our fund balance, those 3 projects...is a $155,000," Speaker 3 said. The speaker said the vehicle — if approved by the commission — would still require finance-department and common-council approval.

Commissioners discussed salary assumptions and the city’s compensation study. Speaker 2 asked why only a 1% COLA was included in the budget, and Speaker 3 said the city had provided 1% guidance and that the commission, as a city department, must follow city directives; the budget motion was therefore written to be contingent on any salary and benefits changes made by the city. Speaker 3 also noted the tourism fund balance exceeds $3,000,000 and said the commission has been conservative in prior years.

Before the budget vote the commission also reconsidered a grant classification: Speaker 3 said a previously presented ACRES USA grant needed to be reallocated as a tourism marketing and development grant. Speaker 1 moved to approve the reclassification and Speaker 3 seconded; the motion was taken and accepted by the commission.

The commission approved the 2026 budget by motion with the three fund-balance contingencies and language tying final salary and benefits to any citywide compensation decisions. The motion to adopt the budget was moved by Speaker 2 and seconded during the meeting; the chair called the vote and members approved the proposal.

The commission asked staff to provide the Q2 revenue report at the next meeting so members can reassess revenue assumptions, and Speaker 3 said staff will send a doodle poll to schedule the August meeting and will circulate visitor guide agreements and the revenue report prior to that meeting.

Formal actions recorded at the meeting include approval of the June 17 minutes, the ACRES USA 2025 grant reclassification as a tourism marketing grant, and the adoption of the proposed 2026 budget with the stated contingencies. Several municipal approvals (finance, common council) remain required for vehicle procurement and any actions that exceed staff authority.