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Home My WebLink AboutNHCCC letter for help RECEIVED Al4JUL 1 3 2C73 North Hood Canal Chamber of Commere FERsoN COUNTY OMMISSIONERS Emerald Towns of Quilcene and Brinnon To: Jefferson County Commissioner's Office Subject: Request for Additional Funding from LTAC Grant for Quilcene Visitor Center Dear Jefferson Tourism Coordination Committee and County Commissioners, I hope this letter finds you well as we all experience an historic tourism season. I am writing on behalf of the North Hood Canal Chamber of Commerce to address a matter of significant importance for our local tourism industry. Due to a shortage of staffing by the U.S. Forest Service, we kindly request additional funding from the LTAC (Lodging Tax Advisory Committee) grant or other sources, to ensure the proper operation of the Quilcene Visitor Center this year in the amount of$28,546.20. The North Hood Canal Chamber of Commerce has been providing additional staffing beyond what was budgeted in the original grant application while we awaited a resolution of the U.S. Forest Service's staffing deficiency. Unfortunately, that is no longer financially achievable without your assistance, and the U.S. Forest Service has no timeline on returning staffing to levels agreed-to in our past MOU. The Quilcene Visitor Center plays a crucial role in promoting tourism and enhancing the visitor experience in our county. The Visitor Center serves as a gateway for tourists, providing them with valuable information,maps, brochures, and recommendations about local businesses, events, and recreational opportunities. However, the forestry service, which traditionally assists in staffing the Quilcene Visitor Center 7 days per week, is currently experiencing a shortage of personnel, and cannot provide ANY staffing for the visitor center at all. This staffing deficit has resulted in a reduced level of service and limited operating hours at the Visitor Center which the NHCCC has supplemented with reserve funds beyond what has been budgeted for in the LTAC grant. PO Box 774 I Quilcene, WA 98376-0774 360.765.4999 Visitor Center I www.emeraldtowns.com 41 North Hood Canal Chamber of Commerce Emerald Towns of Quilcene and Brinnon The following chart outlines the additional funds that NHCCC has already contributed to staffing due to forestry service deficiencies, and a projection throughout the end of 2023. End Adj Budg Actual Period Dif End Adj Budg Actual Period Dif Jar►15 $1,951.52 $2,358.29 ($406.77) hi 15 $888.89 $4,256.34 ($3,367.45) Jari 31 $1,933.04 $2,944.98 ($1,011.95) Jul 31 $552.15 $4,174.82 ($3,622.67) Feb 15 $1,884.85 $2,436.09 ($551.24) Aug 15 $149.63 $3,541.60 ($3,391.97) Feb 28 $1,857.29 $2,192.88 ($335.60) Aug 31 -$274.37 $3,599.35 ($3,873.72) Mar 15 $1,839.62 $2,816.84 ($977.22 Sep 15 4827.76 $3,836.79 ($4,664.55) Mar31 $1,785.33 $2,758.72 ($973. Sep 30 -$1,605.18 0,502.04 ($5,207.22) Subtotal $ 5,507.80 Subtotal S23.0 f 0.94 End Adj Budg Actual Period Dif End Adj Budg Actual Period Dif/ Apr 15 $1,728.07 $3,260.90 ($1,532.83) 0c 15 -$2,646.63 $2,962.52 ($5,609.15 Apr 30 $1,632.27 $3,962.81 ($2,330.54) Oct 31 -$4,048.91 $3,05B.46 ($7,107. May 15 51,476.90 $3,083.91 ($1,607.01) Nov 15 -56,418.04 53,048.04 ($9,466 ) May 31 $1,362.12 $3,428.18 ($2,066.06) Nov30 -$11,151.08 $3,327.96 ($14,47 .04) Jun 15 $1,203.19 $2,979.96 ($1,776.77) Dec 15 -$25,530.11 53,086.63 ($28, 6.74) Jun 30 $1,055.13 $2,883.69 ($1,828.57) Dec Prey' $1,957.38 $2,091.94 (S"134.57) Subtotal $19,599.45 Subtotal S 17,575.55 Grand Totals $46,977.00 $75,693.74 -$28,716.74 The staffing shortage has created a situation whereas the forestry service is unable to renew past the MOU (memorandum of understanding) which has formed the basis of the amount of the grant for staffing this visitor's center. A relevant excerpt of the past MOU is below: "IV. THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE SHALL: ...D. Provide seven day, front desk coverage beginning Memorial Day weekend and ending after Labor Day weekend." Considering the circumstances, the North Hood Canal Chamber of Commerce seeks your support in securing additional funding to enable us to staff the Quilcene Visitor Center adequately. The requested funds would be used to pay our competent and knowledgeable staff members, and records of all use of funds can be made available at your request. PO Box 774 I Quilcene, WA 98376-0774 360.765.4999 Visitor Center I www.emeraldtowns.com North Hood Canal Chamber of Commerce Emerald Towns of Quilcene and Brinnon It is worth noting that our organization has been a responsible steward of public funds, as demonstrated by our actions in the previous year. Despite the challenges faced, we were able to efficiently manage our budget and ended the year with approximately $14,933.66 of unspent funding. This surplus was promptly returned to the LTAC fund, reaffirming our commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency. It is also worth noting that the 2023 LTAC income is so-far increased significantly from past years, which can also be supported by our local businesses reporting a record number of guests and visitors to the area. Supporting documentation from the April 2023 Room tax Report is below: Jeff.Co January February March April May June July 2023 338,585.12 352,737.59 371.172.47 3142.896.71 2022 339,468.68 $43,484.52 $40,797.64 $55,439.56 $60,886.96 $64,213.58 $82,763.16 2021 $38,925.82 $45,229.94 $46,407.13 $43,406.48 $65,961.50 $69,432.85 $70,727.44 2020 $31,208.52 $33,263.68 $28,921.38 $28,566.17 511,196.91 $533.76 $22,715.37 2019 $28,817.97 $40,024.49 S24,277.10 $21,724.70 $40,545.40 542,349.77 $47,889.57 2018 $22,594.98 345,060.38 $18,799.70 $23,064.24 $40,396.57 $35,892.03 $43,754.88 2017 $19,177.76 552,819.70 $16,661.22 S20,633.70 $37,946.58 $31,161.52 $38,074.08 2016 318.366 50 550,911.43 514.393.60 518.348 78 529.298.50 529.333E 533.479 14 Without these additional funds we will be unable to maintain staffing at the visitor's center and will need to drastically cut back labor to only a few days per week, and likely closure outside of the immediate summer season. We believe that the Quilcene Visitor Center is an indispensable asset in supporting the growth of our local economy through tourism. By ensuring its smooth operation, we can enhance the visitor experience, encourage longer stays, and promote local businesses and attractions. This, in turn, will have a positive ripple effect on the county's revenue and the livelihoods of our residents. We kindly request the Jefferson County Commissioners to consider our proposal for additional funding from the LTAC grant. We are confident that this investment will yield substantial returns in terms of increased tourism, economic development, and the overall prosperity of our county. PO Box 774 I Quilcene, WA 98376-0774 360.765.4999 Visitor Center I www.emeraldtowns.com North Hood Canal Chamber of Commerce Emerald Towns of Quilcene and Brinnon Thank you for your attention to this matter. We sincerely hope that you will support our request and help us maintain the vital services provided by the Quilcene Visitor Center. We remain at your disposal should you require any further information or wish to discuss this matter in detail. Yours sincerely, Dan Ventura President North Hood Canal Chamber of Commerce dan@coverv.com 206-755-3371 PO Box 774 I Quilcene, WA 98376-0774 360.765.4999 Visitor Center I www.emeraldtowns.com