Loading...
10/16/2017 - Minutes City of Port Orchard 216 Prospect Street, Port Orchard, WA 98366 (360) 876-4407 • FAX (360) 895-9029 Lodging Tax Advisory Committee October 16, 2017; 7:00 p.m. at City Hall Committee Members present: Chair Councilmember Fred Chang; Sheila Cline, Arthritis Foundation-Jingle Bell Run; Matt Murphy, Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce; Lorraine Olsen, Mrs. Howe’s B&B; and staff; City Clerk Brandy Rinearson. Absent: Kathy Michael, Cedar Cove Inn Introductions/Roll Call - Chair Chang introduced himself and each Committee member. In 2016 the City adopted the 2017/2018 biennial budget. The projected lodging tax revenue for the 2017/2018 budget years is $190,000. Council awarded $99,000 in 2017; leaving a balance of $91,000 for 2018 allocations. Review Applications and Provide Recommendations to Council The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee made the following recommendations for 2018: 2018 Lodging Tax Applicants Request Recommendation Visit Kitsap Peninsula-Tourism Marketing $12,000 $12,000 Port Orchard Bay Street Association – Downtown Events $24,533 $13,814 Port Orchard Bay Street Association – Tourism Marketing $10,533 $5,913 Sidney Museum and Arts Association- Tourism Marketing $5,070 $2,813 Fathoms O’ Fun Festivals-Events/Operations & Marketing $30,000 $20,814 Kitsap Mustang Club-Mustangs on the Waterfront $1,500 $1,314 Saints Car Club-The Cruz $2,300 $2,113 Arthritis Foundation-Jingle Bell Run Port Orchard $1,500 $814 Chamber of Commerce- Seagull Calling Festival $3,200 $3,014 Chamber of Commerce-Tourism & Visitor Marketing $18,995 $13,814 Chamber of Commerce-Visitor Center Operations $8,463 $8,277 City of Port Orchard-Summer Event Foot Ferry Services $8,000 $6,300 Totals: $126,094 $91,000 Committee members reviewed, discussed, and took into consideration the applicants overall budget of the application when making the recommendation. The Committee recognizes the applicants are the bones of Tourism and they are working hard to get people here. They are the ones creating the Tourism Plan for Port Orchard and are the ones getting people here to Port Orchard. The following are summaries of the Committee’s recommendation for the 2018 funding allocation: October 16, 2017, Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Page 2 of 4 Visit Kitsap Peninsula – Tourism Marketing The committee reviewed the application and supports the Council’s desire for the Committee to fully fund the application.  Recommended allocation: $12,000 Port Orchard Bay Street Association – Downtown Events The committee reviewed the application and supports the request. The Committee reduced a portion of the funding based on the applicant’s projected revenue indicated on their P&L statement. The Committee acknowledged their events have proven to be successful.  Recommended allocation: $13,814 Port Orchard Bay Street Association – Tourism Marketing The committee reviewed the application and supports the request.  Recommended allocation: $5,913 Sidney Museum and Arts Association – Tourism Marketing The committee reviewed the application and supports the request, noting they are intrigued by the effort being put towards conducting a survey to capture where people are coming from.  Recommended allocation: $2,813 Fathoms O’ Fun Festival, Inc. – Events/Operations & Marketing The committee reviewed the application and supports the request, with the understanding some Councilmembers have expressed concern with the Concerts by the Bay event being fully funded by Lodging Tax Funds. The committee encourages the applicant to seek sponsors for this event.  Recommended allocation: $20,814 Saints Car Club-The Cruz The Committee reviewed the application and supports the request.  Recommended allocation: $2,113 Kitsap Mustang Club - Mustangs on the Waterfront The Committee reviewed the application and noted the requested amount is relatively insignificant compared to their overall budget. In addition, it was expressed by the Economic Development Committee that Lodging Tax Funds should welcome new applicants.  Recommended allocation: $1,314 October 16, 2017, Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Page 3 of 4 Arthritis Foundation-Jingle Bell Run Port Orchard Committee member Sheila Cline was recused from the discussion. The Committee reviewed the application and supports the request. Funding this event for marketing allows for data to be collected on attendees from the registration.  Recommended allocation: $814 Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce – Seagull Calling Festival Committee member Matt Murphy was recused from the discussion. The committee reviewed the application and supports the request.  Recommended allocation: $3,014 Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce – Tourism & Visitor Marketing Committee member Matt Murphy was recused from the discussion. The committee reviewed the application and supports the request.  Recommended allocation: $13,814 Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce – Visitor Center Operations Committee member Matt Murphy was recused from the discussion. The committee reviewed the application and supports the request, as they are extremely important.  Recommended allocation: $8,277 City of Port Orchard – Summer Event Foot Ferry Services The Committee reviewed the application and supported the request. The Committee reduced the amount based on the current year’s invoice. This allowed the extra funds to be shared among other applicants.  Recommended allocation: $6,300 City of Port Orchard Reserve Historically, the recommended reserve amount is 10% of the allocated funds. After a brief discussion, the Committee recommended not allocating any reserves.  Recommended allocation: $0 City of Port Orchard Reserve for Startups The committee did not recommend a reserve for startups events, as they would like to have a clear defined process on how that would work before money was set aside.  Recommended allocation: $0 October 16, 2017, Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Page 4 of 4 Follow Up– The committee would like staff to provide the 2017 and 2018 beginning fund balance. There being no further business, Chair Chang adjourned the meeting at 8:44p.m. Audio-only, recording was successful. Next meeting: TBD cc: Council/Mayor/Committee Members