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City of Lincoln
Alderman hear request for increased funding for the Logan County
Tourism Bureau
[July 31, 2026]
Logan County Tourism Bureau
President Molly Pickering appeared in front of the Lincoln City
Council on Tuesday evening, July 28th, with a report on LCTB
activities and a request for increased funding in the new contract
year.
In 2025, the city and county entered into agreements with the LCTB
to provide $30,000 each in funding for the work of the bureau. The
contract is up for renewal in one month. Pickering appeared first in
front of the city council and said that she will being giving a
similar report and request to the county at its next meeting.
Pickering began by giving a full report on the activities of the
LCTB over the past year. She said that the bureau secured the state
tourism funding which had to be spent entirely on marketing. It
secured the large Route 66 Tourism grant of approximately $465,000,
most of which went to the Lincoln Department of Tourism for the
development of the Museum of Route 66. She said the money was used
for increased roadside signage, murals, and restoration work at the
Mill on Route 66 Museum that also serves as the LCTB main office.
Pickering outlined the budget for the coming year. With the city and
county contributing $30,000 each, the state grant of around $33,000,
and other small revenue sources, the LCTB is bringing in about
$113,000 per year. The LCTB has applied for a second Route 66 grant
this year and is hopeful that will be received.
Pickering outlined the expenses of the LCTB including the required
marketing budget and awarding of sub-grants to local entities for
their tourism activities. She said when all was said and done, the
LCTB had about $57,000 left for paying overhead and incidentals at
the Mill, day to day operational expenses of the bureau, and the
salary for the Executive Director.
She then explained that the LCTB is initiating a search for the
director position, and the money remaining after overhead is not
sufficient to offer a competitive salary to a qualified director.
She said that the director needed to be someone well versed in grant
writing and with financial management experience. She noted that a
competitive salary will help attract more qualified applicants.
In addition, Pickering is asking that the city enter into a
three-year contract instead of the one-year contract signed last
year. She said applicants will be wary of taking a position that
could only last one year. Going to a three-year agreement would
offer greater job security and thus be more attractive to
applicants.
Pickering finished her presentation and opened the floor to
questions.
Alderman Kevin Bateman asked if any of the grants came with dollars
designated for the salary of the executive director. Pickering said
that in the case of the state grant there is no allowance for
personnel. She said the same rule applied to the Route 66 grant. She
added that perhaps with not-for-profit grants there was sometimes a
10 percent allowance for administrative fees that could go toward a
salary.
The LCTB has been holding ‘listening sessions” in the communities of
the county. Alderwoman Robin McClallen said she had attended the
session in New Holland, and she had seen the value in the meetings
and was happy the LCTB was doing them. Pickering said they had been
very informative learning about what the communities have and want
they want. She added that several indicated they recognize the heart
of tourism in the county is Lincoln and they want to see more in the
city.
Alderman Stan Anderson commented that he appreciated the efforts of
the LCTB. He understood the adjustment the bureau has had to make in
the past year and thinks they have done a good job.
He asked if Pickering has presented its request to the county.
Pickering said not yet, but that is the plan.
Welch said that he too thinks the bureau has done an excellent job.
He said that the amount Pickering was requesting was more than he
thought it would be, but that the decision would lay with the
council to approve or deny. He then said that to the best of his
knowledge the city has never given a three-year contract to tourism.
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Bateman noted that
the 2027 budget Pickering presented only included $30,000 from
the city. He wanted to verify that the additional $10,000
requested is not part of the draft budget. Pickering said it was
not included. She told Bateman that if the city contributes the
extra $10K it will all go into the salary of the executive
director. Bateman said he applauded the bureau for not budgeting
money it does not yet have. He would not vote for a three-year
contract, but he would vote for a one-year with an auto-renew.
Pickering said the bureau would accept
a one-year with auto-renew. She noted that the city contract has a
30-day out clause where any contract can be revoked with 30 a day
notice.
Alderman Steve Parrott, who serves as a liaison member on the LCTB
board, said it had indeed been a “whirl wind year.” He said the
reason for requesting a longer contract was to add longevity and
security to the director’s position.
Alderman Sam Downs, also a representative on the LCTB board backed
up everything Parrott said.
Parrott added words of congratulations to current Director Wanda Lee
Rohlfs. He said she had really stepped up for the bureau, and he
appreciated her leadership in this first year after the
reorganization of the LCTB board.
Welch returned to the terms of the agreement and noted that the city
did not offer a three-year agreement to its director of tourism and
that it would “look a little odd” to give the bureau that agreement
without giving it to their own director. He noted that the city
director has also accomplished remarkable feats.
Alderman Tim Becke said the escape clause in the agreement really
made the term of the contract insignificant. Therefore, if LCTB
needs that three-year agreement to secure a qualified director why
not let them have it.
Welch said that exercising the clause is extremely hard to do, so it
is not really an easy way to get out of an agreement. He noted that
since his time with the city as an alderman and a mayor, there have
been five executive directors at LCTB. He said circumstances change
all the time, and a year from now, Pickering could come before the
council, and the council would say it was time for the city to go a
different direction. With a one-year contract, it is just that
simple, but with an escape clause it could turn into a very
contentious conversation.
Welch concluded that the decision was ultimately with the council,
not him. If the council wants to go with a three-year agreement he
would support. Welch said the LCTB is operating in an old building
that is not very energy efficient, under the right circumstances the
expenditure could exceed the budgeted amount, and then the bureau
might dip into the extra $10,000 to cover operating costs. Pickering
said the LCTB would put it in writing that the increase can only be
used for the executive director’s salary.
She added that with the proper leadership, the bureau is hoping to
seek more private funds by hosting fundraisers and implementing
something like “a friend of the mill” membership program.
Pickering said that if the city was more willing to adopt a two-year
agreement, the LCTB would be good with it.
With conversation nearly over, Welch asked what the agenda item
should be. Parrott proposed giving the increase and going with a
two-year agreement.
There was also a question regarding
the county support. It was noted the agreement has always stipulated
that the city and county would match funds. Therefore, both entities
will have to approve the $40,000 and the two-year agreement for it
to go into effect.
The vote for the increase and new terms of the agreement is expected
to take place on Monday, August 3rd. As always, the council has the
right to table any agenda item if they feel they are not prepared to
make an educated decision.
[Nila Smith]
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