Weston considers withdrawing from Wausau/Central Wisconsin Convention and Visitors Bureau

Damakant Jayshi

Weston officials on Monday will consider withdrawing from the Wausau/Central Wisconsin Convention and Visitors Bureau after an board-appointed attorney recommended greater oversight of the municipality’s financial contribution, according to village documents.

Wausau/Central Wisconsin CVB, whose brand name is Visit Wausau, promotes tourism in Wausau and three neighboring municipalities – the Village of Weston, City of Schofield and the Village of Rib Mountain. Matthew Yde, of the Yde Law Firm, S.C. reviewed Weston’s agreement with the CVB and the village’s room tax ordinance, among other documents, and also recommended removing inconsistencies in the agreement and the ordinance.

The board referred the matter to the attorney on June 17 after a dust-up over funding requests. The Tourism Commission in May rejected funding for Wausau Pride, a June festival celebrating the LGBT community, and also refused a $10,000 grant request for the Blossom of Lights festival at Monk Botanical Gardens. The Wausau Pride funding was later restored, after being approved by Village President Mark Maloney. That decision was called into question, prompting Maloney to review internal policies.

Weston could either withdraw altogether, renegotiate its agreement with the CVB, sign a contract with a different entity to promote tourism or create a distinctly separate tourism entity to manage the 70 percent of room tax funds the village contributes to the organization. The CVB manages 45 percent of this amount and the remainder, 25 percent, is managed by the “Weston Commission Room Tax Account.” The 70 percent amount in the 2nd quarter of 2024 (to be released in August) was a little over $108,000. If Weston withdraws from the tourism-related contract, CVB will lose 45 percent of the room tax dollars each quarter.

Even if the board does not go as far as terminating the contract, it is likely to amend the contract or its room tax ordinance, or both, to make the documents consistent in language as per Yde’s advice.

“Regardless of the determination on the agreement, it will be important to have the discussion/decision on consistent language and goals for the Village regarding tourism, in order to have a clear path forward for room tax funds and expenditures,” Yde wrote to the board.

The attorney recommends asserting more control over how Weston’s contribution to the CVB is disbursed, and clarifying that the Tourism Commission’s approval is required for funds disbursement by CVB.

Besides recommending language consistency to avoid misinterpretation, Attorney Yde also recommended changing or affirming internal Tourism Commission rules and procedures on tourism-related grant applications and also reflect those in the agreement with CVB; “clarify that the Weston Commission Room Tax Account is only to be used for events in Weston that will fill up Weston hotels first;” and “take more control and provide more oversight over the 45% of the Village’s Room Tax revenue that is delivered to the CVB General Tourism Account.” Even for funding disbursed through the CVB General Tourism Account, the Weston Tourism Commission’s approval should be required “since Weston dollars from this account should only be spent if they will create overnight stays in Weston.”

Village President Mark Maloney did not respond to questions sent by email. Instead, Village Administrator Jami Gebert replied, saying, “The Request for Consideration memo included in the meeting packet outlines well the discussion points for Monday.”

However, Gebert did not respond when this newspaper asked the administrator to reply to the specific questions sent to Maloney, including whether any official from the village had held any formal or informal discussion with the CVB officials.

Trustee Jim Pinsonneault who, on July 22, had requested that the item to “consider the withdrawal” be placed on the board’s agenda for its meeting on Aug. 19, also did not respond. In his letter to President Maloney, the trustee said “…we simply are not getting much value for our dollars spent.” This newspaper asked him what additional values or service he was seeking from CVB.

Tim White, executive director of Wausau/Central Wisconsin CVB, told this newspaper he was aware of the agenda item for discussion.

He pointed out that while the topic is under discussion, “there has been no indication that it will impact our ongoing collaboration or funding.” White said there have been no formal discussions about the agreement with village officials, but said the CVB “is always ready to engage in constructive dialogue to further strengthen our partnership.”

Regarding Pinsonneault’s comment about not getting much value for their money, the White said he valued the trustee’s commitment to due diligence. He said CVB strives to maximize the return on investment for all our stakeholders “by promoting tourism that benefits the entire region, including the Village of Weston.”

The CVB is open to feedback and their aim is to find common ground that benefits both the village and the broader community, White said. “Most visitors don’t delineate the differences between our municipalities until they arrive, allowing for a delightful discovery of each municipality’s uniqueness.”

The term of the current agreement is Jan. 1 through Dec. 31. The Village or its Tourism Commission “may terminate the agreement upon thirty (30) days written notice, without cause, prior to the beginning of the fourth quarter of the Agreement.” Since the last quarter begins on Oct. 1, the termination notice needs to be given on or before Sept. 1.

The item to “consider withdrawal from the Wausau CVB Agreement” is on the agenda of the Weston’s Tourism Commission and its Board of Trustees – at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Monday, respectively, according to publicly available documents.