HomeMy WebLinkAbout092223 LTAC Application Review ProcessALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Jefferson County Board of Commissioners,
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the process for reviewing Lodging Tax Application, specifically the acceptance and consideration of incomplete applications, despite the
clear and explicit guidelines outlined in the application packet.
The RFP explicitly stated, in bold red text, that incomplete submissions will not be accepted. This condition was emphasized on no fewer than ten occasions throughout the application
materials. By accepting and reviewing incomplete proposals, your advisory committee is making exceptions in favor of certain applicants over others and sets a disconcerting precedent.
Every organization seeking lodging tax funding should be held to the same standards to ensure that all proposals receive fair and equitable consideration.
In full transparency, an application I submitted received no funding and personally it's extremely disheartening to have taken the time and energy to follow the outlined guidelines and
be excluded while others were held to different standards.
In the RFP it states the review committee’s considerations for supplying their recommendations include:
■ Thoroughness and completeness of the proposal.
■ Percent of the proposal request to the event/facility promotions budget and overall revenues.
■ The applicant’s history of promotion success, reporting history and financial stability.
The applications that did not supply the required financial documentation have not met these criteria or haven’t supplied enough details for the committee to make an informed decision.
■ Projected economic impact within the unincorporated Jefferson County, in particular projected overnight stays to be generated in lodging establishments in the unincorporated areas
of Jefferson County.
I contemplate the Advisory Committee prioritizing the funding for operational staffing vs applications that propose actualizing “heads-in-beds” lodging opportunities. As well as lack
a clear understanding of how funding the Forks Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center, which is located in Clallam County and receives Clallam and Forks city LTAC is more deserving than
a Jefferson County-based application.
It is my belief that the Board’s primary goal is to serve the best interests of the county and allocate funds wisely. Therefore, I recommend the Board or Advisory Committee create a
set of criteria on which they will consider applications, for example: Port Townsed’s scoring criteria https://cityofpt.us/sites/default/files/fileattachments/boards_and_commissions/page/3611/criter
ia_score_sheet_-_revised_august_2023.pdf <https://cityofpt.us/sites/default/files/fileattachments/boards_and_commissions/page/3611/criteria_score_sheet_-_revised_august_2023.pdf>
or Port Angeles https://www.cityofpa.us/ImageRepository/Document?documentId=10737 <https://www.cityofpa.us/ImageRepository/Document?documentId=10737>
Adopting such a policy would improve the process by providing a standardized framework for evaluation of submissions which would promote
* Objectivity: based on predefined criteria and clear descriptions of what constitutes a high, medium, or low-quality submission, reducing the influence of personal biases or subjectivity
in the evaluation process.
* Transparency & feedback: applicants know exactly what criteria will be used to evaluate their submissions and facilitate constructive feedback to applicants by identifying specific
areas where they can improve their submissions.
* Consistency: ensures that all reviewers are on the same page and apply the same standards when evaluating submissions. This consistency helps maintain fairness across all applicants,
as each submission is measured against the same criteria.
* Accountability: reviewers can be held accountable for their evaluations because they are expected to justify their scores based on the established criteria. This accountability reduces
the likelihood of arbitrary decisions or favoritism.
* Efficiency: by providing a standardized framework, the committee can quickly and efficiently assess multiple applications, ensuring a fair and timely evaluation process.
I appreciate your consideration of my recommendation and I hope that the Board will take steps to address this concern and uphold the principles of transparency and fairness in our community.
Sincerely,
Jessie Short
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