City Council Meeting Date: November 17, 2026
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Scott Wopata, Community Development Director
Subject:
TITLE
Consideration of Approval of the 2027 Budget for the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
BODY
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council approves a motion to accept and approve the 2027 Budget for the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Summary Report:
The City is required to approve the CVB budget for the upcoming year prior to distributing the lodging tax. The proposed 2027 budget for Council approval is attached. This is the third and final fiscal year of the current 2025-2027 CVB contract. There is an additional agenda item to establish a task force to review and evaluate the success of the CVB contract in preparation for releasing an RFP for the 2028-2030 CVB contract.
Jane Bartho, President of the Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce, will give an annual overview and presentation on the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) work in 2026 and discuss the 2027 budget.
Alternative Options:
The Council could choose to suggest modifications to the 2027 CVB annual budget.
Financial Impacts:
Funding is provided from the 3% lodging tax collected on all lodging rooms within the City. 95% of the tax collected is used to fund a local convention or tourism bureau for the purpose of marking and promoting the City as a tourist or convention center. The remaining 5% is used by the State Department of Revenue and the City for administrative fees. As of Q4 2026, the State DOR collects the local lodging tax on behalf of the City and remits the proceeds back to the City, to then remit to the local designated CVB.
Tentative Timelines:
Approval of the budget at this meeting will allow Chamber/CVB staff to continue planning and preparation for 2027.