Le Mars council approves $65,625 tourism-plan agreement with ISG; city to pay half

Le Mars — The Le Mars City Council approved an agreement to hire ISG to develop a city tourism strategic plan at a total cost of $65,625, with the city paying 50 percent of the contract, city officials said. Council members voted in favor by voice vote; the motion was seconded and the mayor declared the motion carried.

The plan will be managed by ISG as the prime contractor with PASC as a partner, and is intended to produce a community-backed strategy and an operational design for a tourism organization. Jessica Myers of PASC told the council, “So ISG will be the project manager and help with the facilitation knowing that since we know the community of Le Mars very well. And then PASC will provide the strategic overview, for the actual nonprofit operations and tourism piece.”

Council members discussed that the process should result in a clear, actionable plan — including a recommendation on where a tourism director or leader would be housed and how the operation would be sustained. Speakers said the study will include consideration of establishing a nonprofit entity with three-year financial projections, bylaws and operating procedures so the effort is not dependent on a single organization.

Council members described a roughly five-month timetable for the work. One council member asked whether “5 months [is] a ballpark or deadline,” and the response given was that five months is a ballpark, with an expectation that the community presentation would occur by the end of June.

Funding and vote details: the council was told the city will pay half of the contract from hotel-motel tax funds (the city share equals roughly $32,813 as discussed on the council floor). A council member moved to approve the agreement for $65,625 with the city paying 50 percent; another member seconded. The council approved the motion by voice vote with no recorded roll-call tally; the presiding officer said, “Motion carried.”

Why it matters: council members and presenters said Le Mars has grown events and attractions organically and that a coordinated tourism strategy could increase hotel-motel and sales-tax revenue, support local restaurants and retailers, and create clearer responsibilities for event planning and promotion. Presenters emphasized community buy-in and long-term sustainability in the recommended structure.

Meeting context and next steps: ISG is expected to serve as project manager on the contract, with PASC focusing on nonprofit operations and sustainability. The council discussed, but did not decide at the meeting, where a tourism leader should be housed (options mentioned included an independent executive director or placement inside an existing organization such as the Chamber). The council expects staff and the consultants to return to the community with a plan when the work is complete.