Travel board reviews tight 2026 marketing budget, contract plan for marketing specialist

Staff presented preliminary budget materials showing constrained 2026 marketing funds and a plan to keep a contracted marketing specialist on board.

“Our total marketing budget for 2026 is 30 just over $31,000,” the staff member said, noting that figure does not include contracts that may already exist. Staff added that Kevin, the marketing specialist, can be kept on contract but that the board will need to re‑sign his contract; the item will appear on the February agenda.

The staff presentation included estimated revenue lines—an estimated $250,000 in transient room tax (TRT) and $112 in restaurant tax in the draft sheets—and explained the office drew $60,000 from the fund balance this year to have project money available. Staff also reported comparable annual figures: “RTRT revenue from last year was $5,808,871,” and cited occupancy and average room‑rate measures from the state research tab that track county lodging supply.

Board members said the smaller marketing envelope means staff may need to prioritize event funding and suggested planning cooperative marketing applications and priorities earlier in the year. Staff said the cooperative marketing grant closeout and map‑printing paperwork will be completed soon and that equipment purchases from a trails grant would also be processed early in the year.

Any contract renewals, purchases or budget allocations will be scheduled on an upcoming agenda for a recorded vote.