Tourism director presents $740,000 2027 budget; HB 1210 requires city appointees to county commission

Whitney Lubbers, Tourism Executive Director for the Dubois County Tourism Commission/Visit Dubois County, presented the commission's 2024 report and proposed a $740,000 budget for 2027. She reported $131.2 million in visitor spending in 2024, with $55.5 million retained locally and 1,316 traveler‑supported jobs tied to tourism activity.

Lubbers said the county's innkeeper tax increased 4.9% in 2025 and was up 3.8% in January–April 2026. She also noted results from Rockport Analytics showing a 6.3% increase in tourism for the 2024 data year and said the commission retained a county ranking of #33 of 92 for total tourism spending. The commission's recommendations include continuing investments that support visitor spending and local retention of tourism dollars.

Lubbers told the council that House Bill 1210 added a requirement for city executives to appoint a member to the county Tourism Commission; the commission must update county ordinances to comply. She said the City of Huntingburg currently has no representative on the commission and that Ordinance 2026‑09 (amending Commissioners' Ordinances 91‑12 and 97‑7) includes a restriction that no more than a single majority of members may be affiliated with the same political party. Lubbers said the current political affiliation mix exceeds that limit and that she will guide appointment adjustments to achieve compliance.