By ALEXANDRA NEWMAN

Members of the Porter County Convention, Recreation and Visitor Commission unanimously approved a proposed budget of $1,028,835 for 2008 when they met for their regular monthly meeting Tuesday at the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center, in Porter.

The proposed budget is up from $862,798 budget for 2007.

“The budget was still difficult to put together, because we have only been in the building for six months and have not experienced all the full operational costs,” said Executive Director Lorelei Weimer, who last year at this time was estimating costs of the facility still being built.

Weimer said utility costs require a large increase because the cost of gas has tripled, postage has increased as has maintenance expenses. Proposed is $31,533 up for this year’s $22,319.

Back in the capital outlays line item for 2008 is $60,000 for buildings. Also $50,000 has been proposed for the matching grant program, which is the same as this year. Salaries and wages ask for a minimal increase, from $225,634 to $253,579.

The budget now goes to the County Auditor and will be presented in August to the Porter County Council for its approval.

Weimer also reported there are still landscaping items that must be completed at the Center before the building project can be finalized.

The Save the Dunes Conservation Fund planted two bio-swales and a two-stage ditch. Its members will be planting a rain garden, the preparation for which already has begun.

“Drainage issues have yet to be completed by LEL,” Weimer said.

Weimer said she is still working on the 2008-2010 Strategic Plan, which is currently in the draft stage.

Also, Weimer announced Public Relations Director Kate Keiser has resigned and will be moving to In-dianapolis. Last month Partnership Development Director Anna Parker announced she was leaving to pursue her master’s degree at the University of Florida. Both will be leaving in July. Interviews for their positions will begin next week.

Marketing Director Becky Fox said she has been getting requests for photos from various magazines, specifically noted were Northern Indiana Lakes magazine, Away.com and Rand McNally.

She also noted that Midwest Living is one of the most sought after magazines by tourism bureaus in the U.S. Because of PCCRVC’s partnership in the Northern Indiana Tourism Development Commission, Porter County gets publicity in that publication. According to Fox, the cost for the NITDC full-page ad is about $37,000. NITDC represents the counties of Porter, LaPorte, St. Joe, Elkhart, Marshall, Koscuisko and LaGrange, all of which share the cost.

She also announced the Port Restaurant in Chesterton will be having a Road Rally in celebration of its 50th Anniversary.

Fox also introduced Intern Brie Hetrich, a junior at Ball State, who is working with the PCCRVC this summer.

The Board approved the monthly claims amounting to $73,334.93. Year-to-date expenditures are $359,793.04.

Also, Carol Costakis, treasurer, the June collection was $69.466.77 for a year-to-date total of $380.557.55, which is a 9 percent increase over 2006.

The next regular meeting will be at 4 p.m. July 17.

Posted 6/20/2007