08/03/2017 - Minutes
City of Port Orchard
216 Prospect Street, Port Orchard, WA 98366
(360) 876-4407 • FAX (360) 895-9029
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
Thursday, August 3, 2017; 7:00 p.m. at City Hall
Committee Members present: Chair Fred Chang; Kathy Michael, Cedar Cove Inn; Lorraine
Olsen, Mrs. Howe’s B&B; Sheila Cline, Jingle Bell Run; Matt Murphy, Chamber of Commerce;
and City staff Clerk Brandy Rinearson.
Absent: N/A
Roll Call – Members introduced themselves and the Clerk confirm there was a quorum and
business can be conducted.
Review of the Lodging Tax Funding Regulations/Reporting
Clerk Rinearson explained the documents provided, RCW 67.28, MRSC Lodging Tax FAQ’s, and
the 2016 JLARC Report.
The committee discussed the JLARC report and expressed concerns with the reported numbers.
The numbers appear to conflict with other cities with similar lodging tax base. They expressed
the important of having accurate numbers to really help determine if the tourism is picking up.
Clerk Rinearson will forward to the committee each recipient reported.
Committee Timeline / Guidelines
Clerk Rinearson recommended having the applications open for 3-4 weeks. Have the committee
review the applications the 1st week in September; with applicant interviews the week of
September 11th; with a committee recommendation by September 26th.
In addition, she explained the guidelines are for the applicant to understand the process and
some tips of what type of expenses are reimbursable.
Projected Revenue of Lodging Tax for 2018
The projected revenue available for 2018, is $91,000. As a reminder, the 2017/2018 biennial
budget estimated $190,000, however the Council awarded $99,000 for 2017.
2018 Application Review
Clerk Rinearson, reminded the committee that some of the information on the application was
added to align with the newly adopted Tourism plan.
The Committee reviewed the application and provided the following changes:
• Update the project title description.
August 3, 2017, Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
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• Make the funding request type clearer.
• Make clearer what the total project cost is being requested.
• Update the tables regarding budget information to make clearer the budget
information the committee is looking for, versus the applicant’s entire
agency’s budget.
• Reword the self-funding portion to portray the expectation of applicants
should be self-sufficient.
• Add a statement of the applicant to include the previous year’s reporting of
tourists.
Committee member Olsen left the meeting at 8:21 p.m.
Application Score Sheets
The committee discussed the scoring sheets and what criteria would be needed to evaluate the
applicant and how it would provide increased tourism to the City. Also, include with the
application.
Miscellaneous
Clerk Rinearson updated the committee on who is eligible to apply for Lodging Tax. Applicants
can’t be private corporations, individuals or private corporations or individuals working in
conjunction with a non-profit origination; as they would be using funds to benefit themselves
and not increasing tourism in a broader sense.
There being no further business, Chair Chang adjourned the meeting at 8:48 p.m. Audio-only
recording was successful.
Next meeting: TBD
cc: Council/Mayor/Department Directors