Chamber hopes for more fruitful year on the tourism front

The Saukville Village Board on Tuesday approved a 2021 tourism budget that projects spending less than half on community events than what was budgeted in 2020 before the Covid-19 pandemic struck.

The Saukville Chamber of Commerce proposed spending $13,500 this year on two events, compared to $26,500 in 2020 for eight events.

Most of those events were canceled, however, due to the pandemic. The only expenditures from the tourism fund were $5,000 for July 4 fireworks, which were held on Labor Day weekend, and $3,000 related to the Live at the Triangle concert series, which also was canceled.

Chamber Executive Director Mike Cosgrove told village trustees that he’s hopeful for a return to normal this year.

“We are hoping to actually have some events,” he told trustees.

In a letter to village officials, he wrote: “In light of the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, funding community events is even more important than ever.”

Budget allocations for 2021 are $2,500 to the chamber’s Saukville Scare 5K Run/Walk, $6,000 to the July 4 fireworks and parade, $2,500 to the Saukville Historical Society’s Crossroads event and $2,500 for Live at the Triangle.

The budget also includes $800 for Chamber expenses and $500 for National Night Out.

Tourism funds are derived from the village room tax, with $9,000 of room tax revenue going to the village general fund to support municipal operations. According to village guidelines, event proposals are judged on their promotional and marketing plans and their impact on the community.

Funds will only be disbursed for events that take place, Cosgrove said.