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Tourism director cites $75 million visitor spending; board amends tourism donation resolution to name Enbridge
Summary
Tourism Director reported $75 million in direct visitor spending in 2025, equating to an estimated $335,000 in county sales-tax revenue; the board amended Resolution 2026-65 to identify Enbridge as the donation source before approving the consent-item.
Tourism Director Mary Motiff told the Bayfield County Board that direct visitor spending totaled about $75 million in 2025 and that a one-half percent county sales tax on that spending would translate to roughly $335,000 for the county general fund. Motiff also said the Wisconsin Department of Revenue estimates one in four local jobs in Bayfield County is sustained by tourism; she noted Bayfield County tied for fourth statewide on total economic impact measures.
During consent-agenda consideration, Supervisor Dennis Pocernich asked that Resolution 2026-65 explicitly identify the donation source for a tourism item; Administrator Abeles-Allison confirmed the donation came from Enbridge. The board amended the resolution to include Enbridge as the donor and approved the consent agenda. Motiff's figures were presented as part of the tourism report to illustrate the sector's fiscal contribution to the county.
Supervisors discussed the economic importance of tourism to local employment and tax revenue and the role of transparent donor attribution in consent materials.
