KI expansion funding debated

GREEN BAY - Monday evening Green Bay council members gave a thumbs up to how they'd like to see part of the $19 million KI expansion project paid for. 

However, it's not a done deal yet.

After nearly three hours of debate, Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt got what's he's been pushing for, with his vote as the deciding factor.

In a 7 to 6 vote, the council moved to increase the hotel room tax from 8% to 10%.

They voted to use half the money from the increase to help pay for the KI expansion project and the other half for tourism promotion through the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

"I think this is the right thing to do for both the CVB, promotion side, as well as the expanded KI, which is the product side," explained Mayor Jim Schmitt.

But other communities, as well as some Green Bay council members, want to see all the money going to the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Officials say the bureau needs that money to stay competitive, since current funds are running low.

"We're trying to build a community consensus to move forward, make certain we have appropriate funding compared to our competition in Wisconsin and throughout the Midwest," said Brad Toll with the Greater Green Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Despite the vote however, Toll says this is far from a done deal.

He says all the municipalities in Brown County need to agree on the increased room tax spending in order for this to plan to forward.

If an agreement can't be reached among the municipalities, Toll says the Room Tax Commission would ultimately have the final say.

To try to get others on board, Schmitt says he plans to visit other communities in the coming week.

"I think others need to understand what an opportunity this is," Schmitt said.