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St. Charles pauses tourism reorganization after council raises data and oversight concerns
Summary
Mayor Dan Borgmeyer proposed splitting tourism and communications into two new departments and hiring two directors; councilmembers pressed for third‑party data and agreed to a yearlong review, with administration to return in January 2027.
Mayor Dan Borgmeyer asked the City Council on Jan. 13 to reorganize how St. Charles manages tourism, communications and events by creating two new departments — Events & Promotions and Communications & Marketing — and hiring two directors, while leaving the Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) operationally intact for now.
The proposal, delivered as a PowerPoint at a work session, recommended a 2026 review of data and organizational structure and a return to the council with final recommendations in January 2027. Borgmeyer and Director of Administration Larry Dobrosky said administration is recruiting for a vacant CVB director post and for a communications director and would use a hiring firm to finalize job descriptions.
Council members pushed back, saying the administration did not provide the supporting data or outside reviews they expected. Councilmember Justin Foust said he had not seen the formal proposal before it was posted and stressed reliance on evidence-based analysis. Foust said, "I do not believe it is sustainable for city staff to manage 50+ events long-term," and urged hiring a CVB director and commissioning a third-party review before structural changes.
Council President Michael Galba signaled caution and emphasized transparency, saying the council had asked for outside review rather than an immediate restructure and adding, "OK you have my word I won't do anything, I won't make any changes." Several members, including Brian Gould and Mark Hollander, said they support taking time to secure expert input and avoid changes that could harm Main Street businesses and existing event partners.
The proposal drew specific concern about moving the Foundry Art Centre from the CVB to a new events department. Councilmembers said the Foundry has regained financial stability and strong leadership; Galba and others said they would defend any entity they view as at risk of harmful change.
Background details city officials highlighted include St. Charles Oktoberfest, which Councilmember Foust said brings more than 150,000 visitors annually and has returned about $250,000 a year to local nonprofits. The administration proposed that, after hiring the two directors, the department heads and an outside firm collaborate on operational recommendations and that the council receive final recommendations in January 2027.
Action and next steps: administration will finalize job descriptions, continue the national/local recruitment for the CVB director and communications director, and spend 2026 reviewing data and organizational options. The council recessed during the meeting and will expect the administration to report back with the requested analyses before any structural changes are adopted.
