Verona, Wis. – In a decisive 7-1 vote on Monday, the Verona Common Council chose to withhold the city’s tourism grant to the Verona Area Chamber of Commerce beginning in the first quarter of 2027. The city currently contributes roughly $350,000 each year to promote local tourism, but council members said they cannot continue the funding without clearer documentation of how the money is spent.
Financial audit raises red flags
A $15,000 audit conducted by Baker Tilly examined the chamber’s 2024 and 2025 financial records. Verona Tourism Commission Chair Jason Hunt reported that 249 of the 278 transactions reviewed lacked supporting invoices or evidence of proper review and approval. The audit also identified unsupported allocations, duplicate payments and other discrepancies.
City officials demand transparency
Mayor Luke Diaz emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “For us looking at it and not having good details on how the money’s being spent, we can’t feel confident that the money’s being spent properly.” District 4 Alder Beth Tucker Long added that the chamber has failed to submit required quarterly financial reports, noting that the first‑quarter report is still missing.
Chamber’s response
The Verona Area Chamber of Commerce issued a statement saying it is preparing a formal response and that “some important context has been missing from the public discussion, and certain information deserves clarification.” The chamber claims it has documentation to support its position, though no specific records have been released to the council.
Impact on community events
The dispute has also drawn attention to Verona Hometown Days, a long‑standing festival organized by the chamber. Chamber Executive Director Le Jordan reminded council members that the event would have ended thirteen years ago if the chamber had not taken it over. Council President Mara Helmke reassured residents that no one wants Hometown Days to disappear, stating, “I think both things can happen. We can have accountability and Hometown Days.” Tucker Long clarified that the city’s concern is with the handling of tourism funds, not the festival itself, and that the city would continue supporting community events even if another organization assumes the funding role.
Next steps
The council is scheduled to revisit the issue on January 11. If the chamber does not resolve the financial concerns, the city may consider terminating its agreement altogether. Mayor Diaz noted, “As the issue continues to not be addressed and to not be fixed, it’s starting to make me wonder if there’s other issues happening over there.” The chamber says it is working on a more detailed response and hopes to maintain a constructive relationship with the city.
What this means for Verona residents
With the city’s tourism dollars on hold, local businesses that rely on promotional support may see a short‑term slowdown in marketing efforts. However, council members stress that the move is intended to protect taxpayer money and ensure that future funding is used responsibly. Residents can expect further updates after the January council meeting.
Original reporting: NBC15 WMTV (Gray) – local — read the source article.
