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Lorain County Visitors Bureau Meeting Minutes
January 29, 2026
The Visitors Bureau met on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 8:01 a.m., at Lorain County Administration
Building, 226 Middle Avenue, Elyria, Ohio, Room 555.
I. Welcome:
Commissioner Moore welcomed everybody and asked for roll call.
The following members were present and there was a quorum:
David J. Moore, Commissioner and Chairman Visitors Bureau Board
Rob Duncan, Director, Lorain County Community Development
Brad Mullins, Member
Ron Billings, Member, absent - excused
Brenda Phillips, Member
Other Staff:
Garry Gibbs, Visitors Bureau Director
Theresa L. Upton, Secretary
K.C. Saunders, Budget Director, absent-excused
Minutes:
Motion by David J. Moore, seconded by Brad Mullins to approve the minutes of December 18,
2025, as submitted. Upon roll call the vote taken thereon resulted as: Ayes: All / Nays: None
Motion passes. ___________________
I1. Finances:
Garry Gibbs said Richland Engineering, now known as Mannik & Smith Group, Inc., sent an
invoice in the amount of $7,661.50 for the Bascule Bridge lighting work. This bill is from 2 years ago,
when the City of Lorain, Lorain County Commissioners and Lorain County Visitors Bureau were going
to spend $100,000 each to get new lighting on the bridge. This project never went through due to budget
constraints. The Board instructed the Director of the Visitors Bureau to settle the invoice for $3,500.00
KC Saunders provided the financials for year-end 2025. Bed Tax was increase over $1 million.
Garry Gibbs said the additional 3% increase we will not see until at least the 4th quarter of 2026.

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Visitor’s Bureau cont. Page 2 December 18, 2025
This is the projected 2026 Budget being $1,269,122.

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Visitor’s Bureau cont. Page 3 January 29, 2026
Board discussed paying off the SR58 building, which Lorain County Children Services pays rent
on. There is no penalty for paying off early, just need to give a 30 day notice and interest rate is around
5.26%. KC Saunders said the cost would be around $515,000 that includes the $100,000+ in reserves.
Mullins asked what the hotel/motel allocation is for in the budget. Saunders said this feeds the
debt service.
Mullins asked about the advertising costs. Gibbs said he is reducing print and cancelled Pulse.
Will be looking into getting someone to do digital marketing.
Rob Duncan said he spoke to Connie Porter of Oberlin, and they have 2 investors interested in
putting up a new hotel based on the study. Gibbs said Visitors Bureau pay around $7,500 as a partner to
that study, and $5,000 to an economic impact study of Avon/Avon Lake, Crushers Stadium area. Duncan
also indicated that Sheffield Village is also interested in putting up another hotel by Sam’s Club.
Moore said the landbank is in the process of tearing down the old Holiday Inn and hope to have
an offer this coning Tuesday.
Moore said there has been some push back on the increase to the bed tax. Garry Gibbs said there
has only been one negative letter to the editor, but he has not received any calls from the hotels/motels.
Also with the new Browns stadium there could be potential growth in North Ridgeville, Ohio Turnpike
Exit 151.
Moore said he would like to have an executive session to discuss personnel and contracts.
_________________(discussion was held on the above)
III. Director’s Report – Garry Gibbs:
* February 7 from 11 am – 6 pm., Ice A Fair, Vermilion
* Taste of History video shown last month has over 28,000 views and 200 reenactors have
already signed up.
* Lorain Ohio KartPlex, United States Pro Kart Series 2026 shared a schedule of events,
which the Visitors Bureau will share to promote. Mullins said a lot of these drivers here,
their fathers are pro racers and will be coming in and sees a lot of activity at airport too.
* June 11-13, Michigan Walleye Tournament, Black River Landing, Lorain. Lake Erie
(Lorain) is included in the circuit of Detroit River, Saginaw Bay (Lindwood), Lake
Huron (Alpena), Championship Lake Charlevoix (top 40 teams qualify). There will be
150 teams with 3 fisherman per boat. Gibbs said 2 years ago when the fishing tournament
was here, the cost to the Visitors Bureau was around $60,000 and we provided food. This
new circuit raises its own money, and he will be in discussions with the Promotor to see
what Visitors Bureau can do and be a sponsor for $7,500.00
* May 18-20, ICSC Innovating Commerce Serving Community Tradeshow, Lasa Vegas,
NV. Gibbs is working with Commissioner Gallagher and Latitude 41 on the new
simplified skins. Booth spaces are around $30,000.
* Spirt of 76’ Speaker Series, January – June 2026. Jeannie Donaldson is doing this speaker
series as part of America 250. Visitor’s Bureau is sponsoring this event with the amount
of $2,500.
Moore said July 24 is the county celebration picnic with hot dogs from Hot Dog Heaven
and apple pies from Mama Joes. Gibbs said he is still waiting on a contract from
Cleveland Pops Orchestra. They will play from 12 pm – 1:30 p.m.
Moore would like the Clerk to work on the details and report back next month.
* Gibbs would like to have a form for anyone that requests a sponsorship and requestor has
to give at least 30 days’ notice. Board agreed.

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Visitor’s Bureau cont. Page 4 January 29, 2026
* July 11 is the discover Aviation Airplane & Car Show, Lorain County Regional Airport.
This year he is bringing in airplane stunts and has about 80 volunteers. Last year it cost
around $60,000 and he is asking for an increase to $100,000
* Clerk said this week, Village of Grafton is having a restaurant week
RESOLUTION NO.VB-26-1
Motion by Rob Duncan, seconded by David J. Moore to authorize up to $100,000 expenditure for
the Lorain County Air & Car Show on July 11, 2026. Upon roll call the vote taken thereon resulted as:
Ayes: Duncan, Moore, Phillips & Mullins / Nays: None / Absent: Billings
Motion passed. ______________(discussion was held on the above)
JOURNAL ENTRY
Motion by David J. Moore, seconded by Brad Mullins to recess into an executive session at 8:55
a.m. to discuss personnel and contracts. Upon roll call the vote taken thereon resulted as: Ayes: Moore,
Mullins, Phillips & Duncan / Nays: None / Absent: Billings
Motion passed. ______________
JOURNAL ENTRY
Visitor’s Bureau reconvened from the executive session at 9:23 a.m. and the following was
adopted:
Discussion was held on the payments on the Visitors Bureau building on SR58.
RESOLUTION NO.VB-26-2
Motion by Rob Duncan, seconded by Brad Mullins to authorize payments beginning February
2026 in the amount of $16,000 monthly towards the principal on paying the debt service on the SR58
Building. Upon roll call the vote taken thereon resulted as: Ayes: Duncan, Mullins, Phillips & Moore /
Nays: None / Absent: Billings
Motion passed. ______________
Lorain City Port Authority has requested funds from the additional bed tax increase to pay for
security for their events and projected cost is $77,625.
RESOLUTION NO.VB-26-3
Motion by Rob Duncan, seconded by Brenda Phillips to accept the request from Lorain City Port
Authority in supporting the Lorain Police Department as their security services for the 2026 season in the
amount not to exceed $80,000.00 payable to Lorain City Port Authority. Lorain City Port Authority will
submit receipt of hours worked and be paid monthly. Upon roll call the vote taken thereon resulted as:
Ayes: Duncan, Phillips & Moore / Nays: None / Abstain: Mullins / Absent: Billings
Motion passed. ______________

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Visitor’s Bureau cont. Page 5 January 29, 2026
Lorain County Agricultural Society has requested funds from the additional bed tax increase to
pay for security for their events. Last year it cost them around $40,000 - $50,000 for law enforcement.
RESOLUTION NO.VB-26-4
Motion by David J. Moore, seconded by Rob Duncan to accept the request from Lorain County
Agricultural Society supporting the security services for the 2026 Lorain County Fair in the amount not to
exceed $50,000.00 payable to Lorain County Agricultural Society. Lorain County Agricultural Society
will submit receipt of hours worked to be paid. Upon roll call the vote taken thereon resulted as: Ayes:
Moore, Duncan, Phillips & Mullins / Nays: None / Absent: Billings
Motion passed. ______________
Visitors Bureau needs help in digital marketing.
RESOLUTION NO.VB-26-5
Motion by David J. Moore, seconded by Brad Mullins to have the Lorain County Board of
Commissioners to enter into an agreement with the Visitors Bureau with Alpha Key Digital in the
amount not to exceed $10,000 monthly for one year for digital marketing of the county. Upon roll call
the vote taken thereon resulted as: Ayes: Moore, Mullins, Phillips & Duncan / Nays: None / Absent:
Billings
Motion passed. ______________
Visitors Bureau needs staff to help the Director with office functions, public relations and
enforcement of the collection in taxes. Gibbs asked who is responsible for sending out letters about the
increase of tax. Saunders said his office will send the initial letters but will not be the enforcers.
RESOLUTION NO.VB-26-6
Motion by David J. Moore, seconded by Brad Mullins to have the Lorain County Board of
Commissioners work with the Director of the Visitors Bureau to hire an administrative assistant for office
work and public relations person that will also enforce the bed tax not to exceed $200,000.00. Upon roll
call the vote taken thereon resulted as: Ayes: Moore, Mullins, Phillips & Duncan / Nays: None / Absent:
Billings
Motion passed. ______________
VII. Next Meeting:
Thursday, February 19, 2026 and Thursday, March 26, 2026
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IV. Unfinished Business:
Gibbs sent Hannah Kiraly an email regards to the Lorain Skatepark. He stated that Visitors
Bureau is supportive of the skateboard park and will help promote events that will take place there and
would love to collaborate on events or activities highlighting the park, but the Visitors Bureau will not be
issuing financial contributions directly. _______________
VIII. Adjournment:
Moore said nothing further, we adjourned at 9:35 a.m.
Respectfully submitted by Theresa L. Upton, Clerk