Explore Two Rivers’ board adopted a revised 2026 budget after room-tax revenue came in sharply lower early in the year. The board also spent significant time planning the May 7 National Travel & Tourism Week event and advancing “I LOVE TR” promotional items.
No public comments or communications recorded for this meeting.
Treasurer Curt Andrews reported early 2026 room-tax revenue is trending down, including January’s $5,773 being the lowest since 2021 and February running at roughly half of last year. The Room Tax Commission responded by cutting the 2026 forecast from $342,000 to $324,000 and reducing planned expenses by $30,700 (to $204,400), framing it as a “be fiscally minded” move rather than retreating from marketing. The board then voted to adopt the revised 2026 budget and separately accepted the treasurer’s report—an early warning that the year’s tourism plan may depend on revenue improving or new revenue (like RV overnights) actually showing up.
The board worked through logistics for the National Travel and Tourism Week celebration, including the floor plan, volunteer roles, and a detailed run-of-show for the May 7 event. They discussed adding more “Taste of Two Rivers” vendors and noted they were tracking about 50 attendees with an April 24 RSVP deadline. This is nuts-and-bolts work, but it’s also where the organization is placing its bet on visibility and community buy-in during a year when revenue is already coming in soft.
The board reviewed “I LOVE TR” promotional assets, including metal heart yard signs and apparel. They leaned toward a larger, powder-coated yard sign (starting with a run of 50) and discussed pricing it to cover costs and potentially make a small profit, while also trying to reduce Explore’s upfront costs by working with local vendors on apparel. They also promoted upcoming community workshops and planned to push materials at the May 7 event—another example of the group trying to stretch dollars while still keeping the branding push moving.
The board discussed a Room Tax Commission “aha moment” that could lead to a City Council ordinance change: applying room tax to short-term RV overnight stays (excluding tent camping and stays longer than 30 days). A draft ordinance exists, but the next step is putting it on a future Room Tax Commission agenda for proper notice, tentatively in May; the group expects the change could increase room-tax revenue by about 10% by the end of 2026. They also covered the transition to the new tourism director (Caitlyn Meola), recapped a City Council presentation claiming tourism’s local impact, and marked Joe Metzen’s final meeting as tourism director.