MONROE - Recent regulation changes outlining a need for "100 percent accountability" from municipalities to the state government has increased apprehension among members of the Monroe Visitors & Promotion Commission while deliberating how to allocate funds for local tourism organizations.
For commission member Art Bartsch, any future requested audits of the city could prove troublesome for City Clerk Carol Stamm if papers are not adequately organized and submitted. All documentation flows through the clerk's office as proof of spending by groups looking to advertise Monroe and its variety of tourist activities.
Recently, Stamm said oversight at the state level has increased due to misuse of tourism funds by other Wisconsin municipalities, which likely will lead to an audit of Monroe's spending.
"Please just don't open Pandora's box," Bartsch said.
He was referring to radio advertisements by the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Monroe and Green County Tourism. Confusion between directors of each of the three organizations and commission officials fueled discussion at the commission meeting Wednesday.
According to state statutes dictating use of city funds to attract tourists, the commission can only approve funding requests if the proposed item, such as an event, will attract visitors to a variety of businesses and local, overnight lodging.
Because some ads created among the three groups working together overlapped with previously allocated funds from the city, commission members indicated changes need to be made in future years to avoid problems that could arise with an audit.
Stamm suggested rather than the city approving requests, each organization submit a description of radio ads and the station provide bills to the city to be paid by the administration directly. That way, city funding meant for certain events that do not attract overnight visitors to a number of businesses would remain separate from advertisement funding requested from the visitors commission by the three groups.
Green County Tourism Director Noreen Rueckert questioned whether that method would be appropriate and said Wisconsin Secretary of Tourism Stephanie Klett had informed her that any money used for tourist purposes should be managed through an organization like Main Street Monroe, Monroe Chamber or the county tourist group.
Rueckert also asked whether advertising requests should be done before ads run publicly.
"If every piece of advertising needs to be approved, that's OK," Rueckert said. "We just need more time."
The commission decided against changing the method of payment for radio ads, because each organization already submits a request form that includes documentation proving the expense of each item.
"As long as you follow the guidelines ... it should be fine," Stamm said.
Stamm explained the request form will also be changed to accommodate the need for additional documentation in light of the increased scrutiny by state officials.
As part of 2017 marketing, the three groups submitted a joint request, which included $4,000 to Monroe Chamber, $30,000 to Main Street and $17,000 to Green County Tourism. The commission approved the funding request to be allocated toward a variety of media advertisements, website management and visitor guides.
For commission member Art Bartsch, any future requested audits of the city could prove troublesome for City Clerk Carol Stamm if papers are not adequately organized and submitted. All documentation flows through the clerk's office as proof of spending by groups looking to advertise Monroe and its variety of tourist activities.
Recently, Stamm said oversight at the state level has increased due to misuse of tourism funds by other Wisconsin municipalities, which likely will lead to an audit of Monroe's spending.
"Please just don't open Pandora's box," Bartsch said.
He was referring to radio advertisements by the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Monroe and Green County Tourism. Confusion between directors of each of the three organizations and commission officials fueled discussion at the commission meeting Wednesday.
According to state statutes dictating use of city funds to attract tourists, the commission can only approve funding requests if the proposed item, such as an event, will attract visitors to a variety of businesses and local, overnight lodging.
Because some ads created among the three groups working together overlapped with previously allocated funds from the city, commission members indicated changes need to be made in future years to avoid problems that could arise with an audit.
Stamm suggested rather than the city approving requests, each organization submit a description of radio ads and the station provide bills to the city to be paid by the administration directly. That way, city funding meant for certain events that do not attract overnight visitors to a number of businesses would remain separate from advertisement funding requested from the visitors commission by the three groups.
Green County Tourism Director Noreen Rueckert questioned whether that method would be appropriate and said Wisconsin Secretary of Tourism Stephanie Klett had informed her that any money used for tourist purposes should be managed through an organization like Main Street Monroe, Monroe Chamber or the county tourist group.
Rueckert also asked whether advertising requests should be done before ads run publicly.
"If every piece of advertising needs to be approved, that's OK," Rueckert said. "We just need more time."
The commission decided against changing the method of payment for radio ads, because each organization already submits a request form that includes documentation proving the expense of each item.
"As long as you follow the guidelines ... it should be fine," Stamm said.
Stamm explained the request form will also be changed to accommodate the need for additional documentation in light of the increased scrutiny by state officials.
As part of 2017 marketing, the three groups submitted a joint request, which included $4,000 to Monroe Chamber, $30,000 to Main Street and $17,000 to Green County Tourism. The commission approved the funding request to be allocated toward a variety of media advertisements, website management and visitor guides.