HomeMy WebLinkAboutAuthorization of the issuance of a 2027 Lodging Tax Funding RFP - 090826 Consent Agenda
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Adiel McKnight, Deputy Clerk of the Board
DATE: September 8, 2026
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION and POTENTIAL ACTION re: Authorization of the
issuance of a 2027 Lodging Tax Funding RFP in the amount of
$1,004,000 or$625,000
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
On August 28, 2026, the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee(LTAC)met to review 2027 funding for the
upcoming Request for Proposals(RFP) cycle, as recommended by the Board of County Commissioners
(BoCC). LTAC approved a motion to ask that the Board of County Commissioners reconsider their
approval to release $625,000 for that RFP (Version 1), and instead review a second option in an amount
not to exceed$1,004,000 (Version 2,preferred by LTAC). This option would ask applicants to submit
proposals for 1) a coordinated destination marketing approach including a marketing budget for Jefferson
County tourism(with a maximum available fund of$379,000), or 2) any other qualifying application for
eligible use of LTAC funds, for qualifying organizations (with a maximum available fund of$625,000).
The total funds would be distributed through a single RFP process; using two "pots" of available funds.
The RFP draft for this "Version 2"directs applicants to specify which type of funding they're seeking.
ANALYSIS:
Finance Director Judy Shepherd analyzed the finances of the LTAC funds and notified the LTAC that
the available amount in 2027 is $1,004,000, including $6,500 contingency fund for maintenance on
the Welcome to the Olympic Peninsula roundabout sign, and administrative costs of$5,584 for
program operation. The LTAC then recommended to the BoCC that the RFP be issued to distribute
that full amount of$1,004,000. After deliberation, the BoCC approved an LTAC RFP amount of
$625,000.
The LTAC would like to ask the BoCC to consider a compromise which would allow the county to
deploy the full amount of available funds for the purposes of improving Jefferson County's tourism
economy. This would be followed by an RFP application from Jefferson County's Tourism
Coordinating Council (TCC) for use of LTAC funds to staff the LTAC and TCC, including
administration of the LTAC RFP process. It would also include a detailed destination marketing
budget including professional services, coordination with regional and local destination marketing
efforts.
TCC voted at their 9/1/2026 meeting to establish a task force that is now prepared to finalize a draft of
such a proposal to oversee a coordinated approach to Jefferson County destination marketing, should the
BoCC agree to release the funds on 9/8/2026.
LTAC is also prepared to publish either Version 1 or Version 2 of the RFP upon BoCC decision.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This request has no fiscal impact in and of itself. However, approval of this request will lead to the award
of Lodging Tax grants for tourism promotion and projects in Jefferson County for 2027.
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize the issuance of a Lodging Tax RFP in an amount not to exceed $1,004,000(Version 2). A
second option is to uphold the issuance of a$625,000 Lodging Tax RFP for use of Jefferson County
lodging tax funds.
REVIEWED BY:
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