April 12--LINCOLN -- The Lincoln City Council will establish a committee to improve communications with the Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County and will not immediately consider changes to the way the bureau is funded.

The bureau in 2011 received $134,500 of its $194,000 budget from the city's hotel/motel tax. Some city officials recently expressed concern that the bureau doesn't go far enough in promoting events in Lincoln despite the city's share of its budget.

On Tuesday, bureau officials met with the City Council and delivered a PowerPoint presentation highlighting efforts of its work in Lincoln.

"I think it went very well," said Stacie Wachtel, chairwoman of the bureau's board. "I think it was educational and well put together."

Two members of the board of directors, Peggy Lee and Gail Sasse, conducted the presentation.

"Everything is about 'heads in beds,' Lee told the council. "The average overnight visitor to Lincoln will spend $200 on lodging, food, gasoline and shopping."

Alderman Tom O'Donohue now serves as the council's liaison to the bureau. The city is expected to decide by Dec. 1 if it will pull the current funding and reform the bureau under city control.

"We have to figure out what our expectations of the tourism bureau are," he said. "If the expectations are such that we don't think they can meet them, then we should make a change. But we should give them a chance."

Once formed, the committee will help establish specific guidelines for the bureau relative to Lincoln.

Sasse said that in the current fiscal year budget, $23,660 is earmarked for use in Lincoln. Another $9,410 is targeted for projects inside of Logan County, but outside of Lincoln.

Wachtel said the bureau is willing to work with city officials on an agreement.

"Right now, it's business as usual, but we are really happy about more communication with Lincoln and think it will be an advantage for both," she said. "We are certainly open to it."

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