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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTCC - 2025 JC Lodging Tax Application rcvd 100124 2025 Request for Proposal Packet Lodging Tax/Tourism Promotion 2025 Proposal Guidelines: Tourism Promotion Activities The Jefferson County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) is accepting proposals from government agencies and non-profit organizations for tourism promotion to be provided during calendar year 2025 and paid for from the County’s lodging tax fund. The Committee will make recommendations to the Jefferson County Commissioners within one month following the proposal deadline. All decisions for use of the lodging tax will be made by the Jefferson County Commissioners. ■ Proposals from government agencies or non-profit organizations are to be for tourism promotion during calendar year 2025. Please refer to Section 1 of this packet for examples of eligible tourism promotion activities for this funding round. ■ At the time of implementation, tourism related activities within proposals must comply with federal, state, and county laws and requirements, including county Public Health direction. NOTE: Jefferson County may not use public funds in any way that can be construed as a gift to an individual or organization. ■ Proposals must completely address the questions, and all requested supplemental information must be provided. Incomplete proposals may not be considered by LTAC. ■ To be considered, a fully completed and signed digital application (digital signatures acceptable) must be received at afmcknight@co.jefferson.wa.us by the deadline listed above. ■ The preferred format for a digital application is a single PDF file attached to an email. If necessary, multiple files in either PDF or Microsoft Word may be attached to a single email as a complete digital application. ■ All documents filed with the County are public records, potentially eligible for release. This packet is for the 2025 TOURISM PROMOTION SERVICE PROPOSALS to be funded by the Jefferson County Lodging Tax. Under Jefferson County guidelines, you must be a NON-PROFIT or GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY to be eligible to be funded by the Jefferson County Lodging Tax. The Jefferson County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee may only consider complete and signed proposals that include all of the requested information and documents, and that are submitted by the deadline: FRIDAY OCTOBER 4, 2024 by 4:30 pm Digital Delivery only for Proposals to afmcknight@co.jefferson.wa.us Jefferson County is committed to the non-discriminatory treatment of all Persons in the employment and delivery of services and resources. 2025 Proposal Checklist for Tourism Promotion Activities Organization Name Jefferson Co. Washington – Tourism Coordinating Council Event Name, if different Proposed Contract Amount: $97,472.48 Proposals must completely address the questions, and all requested supplemental information must be provided. Incomplete or late proposals may not be considered by the Jefferson County LTAC. To be eligible for consideration, your application must be signed, dated, and include the following items in the listed order. Check each item submitted: ____X___ Signed and Dated Proposal Summary Sheet ____X__ Section 1 - Itemized list of proposed services and estimated costs. ____X___ Section 2 - Proposal Questions. ____X___ Section 3 - Proposed 2025 promotion, facility, event or activity budget. ____X___ Section 3 – 2024 budget and year-to-date income and expense statement(s). ____X___ Section 3 - List of names and addresses of the organization’s current Board of Directors. Name and contact information for event chairperson, if applicable. _______ Section 3 - Optional work samples such as season brochures, promotional materials, reviews, news/magazine articles, etc. (maximum of 5 separate pieces) To be considered, a fully completed and signed original application with supporting documents must be electronically received and date stamped at the Jefferson County Administrator’s Office, to Adiel McKnight @ afmcknight@co.jefferson.wa.us by FRIDAY OCTOBER 4, 2024. Documents submitted to the County are public records, potentially eligible for release. 2025 Proposal Checklist for Tourism Promotion Activities Proposal Deadline: FRIDAY OCTOBER 4, 2024 at 4:30 pm (received, not postmarked) Electronically to Email Address: afmcknight@co.jefferson.wa.us Organization Name Jefferson County – Tourism Coordinating Council Organization Address PO Box 1220 Contact Name Greg Brotherton Contact Address 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend, WA 98368 Day Phone 360-385-9101 Evening or Cell Phone 360-531-2992 E-Mail Address gbrotherton@co.jefferson.wa.us Facility/Event (if applicable) Total Lodging Tax Request: $: 97,472.48 Estimated 2025 org. operating budget (Incl. Lodging Tax funds) $: 97,472.48 If asking for funds for a specific event, list other cash funding sources and dollar amounts budgeted for this project. Note: This section is only due for specific event and festival funding requests. Dollar Amount $ $ $ $ $ $ Total Project Revenue Budget $ Did your organization receive Lodging Tax Funds from the County in 2024? _____yes X _____ no I understand that if my organization’s proposal for tourism promotion activities is approved by the County that my organization will enter into a contract with the County to provide the contracted services up to the maximum contract amount. I understand that the proposal herein is a public record potentially eligible for public release. Sign Name: Date: 9/30/2024 Print Name and Title: Greg Brotherton, County Commissioner Please type (10 point or larger) or legibly print in ink. To be considered: all questions must be answered; all requested documents provided; this form must be signed and dated. 1. Itemized List of Proposed Tourism Promotion Services Organization (or Event) Name: ____Jefferson County – Tourism Coordinating Council_________ In the following space or on a separate sheet of paper, please specify each proposed tourism promotion, facility, event or activity, including quantities and costs (see examples at bottom of page). Under direction from the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC), the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) is changing focus from just destination marketing to destination development. It is hiring a 1.0 staff member that will staff both the TCC and the Lodging Tax Advisory Board (LTAC). An example of this development is that the TCC will develop a five-year plan to develop the Gateway Visitor Center by addressing and planning needed amenities including but not limited to, public transportation improvements, Wi-Fi, electric vehicle charging, food and beverage and restrooms. Additionally, the TCC will work closely with the North Hood Canal Chamber of Commerce (NHCCC) to create a unified Visitor Information Services (VIS) that connects available resources including visitor information, local reviews and social media, accommodation, event and food reservations and more in one spot for agile development. VIS plans to increase and measure high quality touches with visitors, both in number of visitors reached and in number of touches by a unique visitor. Finally, the TCC will remain an involved partner in the implementation of the Olympic Peninsula Master Tourism Plan (OPMTP). The TCC bylaws will be modified in the 4th Quarter of 2024 to develop a working board consisting of tourism professionals including representatives from different communities in Jefferson County, as well as more interaction with County departments such as Public Works with manages both public campgrounds and park amenities in Jefferson County for the public benefit, but also manages roads and other infrastructure. One of the critical barriers to more “heads in beds” is the lack of beds. With only a few hotels in East or West Jefferson County, LTAC revenue depends on short term rentals. Increasing communication with the Jefferson County Department of Community Development (DCD) will allow TCC to be at the table as DCD works on new regulations for short term rentals. Developing amenities like a new aquatic facility in or near the new Urban Growth Area that the Port Hadlock Sewer will unlock in 2025 will give more incentive to developers to create hotels, restaurants and other tourist draws in the Tri-Area. Now is the time for TCC to be at the table for place-making in Jefferson County. As an example of why this is important, in working with the Olympic Peninsula Master Tourism Plan implementation, Jefferson County agreed to help get conduit into the roundabout construction at the Hood Canal Bridge – which had already begun. We had to reach out of TCC as is currently constructed, and have a County Commissioner (an ex officio member of TCC) work with Public Works to communicate with the Jefferson County PUD to design the appropriate specifications, and then reach out to communicate with both WSDOT and the contractor to get it installed. There is now conduit underneath the new asphalt, connected to an unmetered PUD line on Shine Road as we develop a regional plan for signage and potential art on the roundabout in support of the OPMTP. BUDGET: One 1.0 FTE salary+benefits - $83,472.48 Travel and office expenses - $8,000 WTA Participation - $6,000 Total: - $97,472.48 2. Proposal Questions Please confine your answers to no more than one page for each question. 1. Tell us about your promotion, facility, event or activity and why you think it will increase tourists traveling to and staying in Jefferson County. The Jefferson County Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) is following a new strategy of investing in destination development and modernizing our Visitor Information Centers and some of the marketing efforts (i.e. website, social media presence, earned media) into a unified, scalable, measurable, and most of all useful, system, accessed primarily via a smart phone, but also through telephone, web site and limited in-person service. It is long past time to modernize the approach to Visitor Information, and as a small rural county, the improvement and development of public facilities will improve the curb appeal, amenities and value for visitors. We hope to create longer stays, develop real strategies for increasing tourism in the shoulder seasons (and even the winter), and engage the members of the TCC in real conversations about appropriate development, tourism’s impact on local communities, and strategies for making the summer season grow sustainably. 2. If this is a continuing promotion, facility or event, how is it different than in the past? The TCC will be focused on the collaborative creation of a Visitor Information Services web platform, and connecting tourism with the development of authentic place through planning a phased Gateway Visitor Center development with Lodging Tax revenue, and supporting the effort to develop an Aquatic Center in partnership with a new Public Facilities District – as well as looking for more opportunities for destination development. The TCC will work with the NHCCC to create a Visitor Information System that has many doors, but consistent messaging with an iterative improvement to the end user value. Also, it is important to disclose that the current board of the TCC did not draft or approve this application. As an instrument of Jefferson County, the Board of County Commissioners have directed a top down reimagining of how the TCC functions in Jefferson County and its organizational proximity to the county itself. We hope that the board will remain and find new engagement in conversations and actions designed to improve the public amenities we have for visitors, represent the tourism industry in Examples of how to list your proposed tourism promotion services or event (please be as specific AS POSSIBLE about the services, quantities, the tourism market, distribution method, and cost): 10,000 promotional rack cards for I-5 corridor from Portland to Bellingham, April - June 2018…………$1,835 The rack cards will promote an event/hotel/restaurant promotional package. Design and printing……………………………………………………………….…. $1,250 Distribution by XYZ Company……………………………………………………… $ 500 5 hours of staff time at $17.00 per hour to write copy, edit and proof the cards…...$ 85 1/3 page black and white event promotional advertisement in XYZ Magazine, July 2018 edition.……. $1,500 XYZ Magazine has 250,000 subscribers in western and northwest states. This 1/3-page ad will be part of a full-page advertisement being coordinated by the VCB. XYZ Magazine will match the value of the advertisement with a feature article on Jefferson County and the event in the same edition. conversations with the county, and make sure that our small businesses and residents that live and work here can continue to in a resilient fashion. 3. Describe how you intend to market/promote your promotion, facility, event or activity to potential tourists who reside outside Jefferson County. We are trying to create a platform that consolidates many marketing messages for 2025. Hopefully in 2026 we will be in the position to market a valuable one-stop shop for Visitor Information outside of Jefferson County, but this year we will develop the product with NHCCC and use earned media to support this value proposition. 4. How will you measure the effectiveness of your promotion, facility, event or activity? Recognizing the fundamental shift in priorities this represents both for the TCC, NHCCC, and others, TCC will focus in 2025 on designing an evaluation that: 1. Evaluates the processes as we shift to a different model with a focus on Destination Development, and one consolidated Visitor Information Service. 2. Attempts to develop a net impact evaluation teasing apart visitor interactions, marketing, or infrastructure from uncontrollable variables, such as weather, in assessing the impact any TCC efforts have on increasing tourism, past present or future. 3. Develop questions that are specific, measurable and doable. 4. Leverage the ubiquity of smart phones as a touch point for tourism interactions to increase the sophistication, uniformity, and depth of data collection (tracking location, specific requests, unique interactions, and repeat interactions). This first year is really about building the system in collaboration with our tourism and development partners including the Olympic Peninsula Tourism Commission (OPTC), NHCCC, EDC Team Jefferson, the North Olympic Development Council (NODC), Port Townsend, and more. Also, describe how you will document and report to the County the economic impact from your event/facility. (State law requires the County to report annually to the State Department of Community Development and Economic Trade about the number of lodging stays and economic benefit from tourists generated by use of Lodging Tax proceeds for tourism promotion.) As described above, in 2025, TCC will analyze impacts of the shift from destination marketing to destination development by continuing to track visitor contacts, lodging tax revenue and regional trends. TCC will evaluate this new design in contrast to previous years, and with an eye toward meaningful measurement in future years. 5. What economic impact can we expect in Jefferson County from your proposed promotion, facility, event or activity? Developing this new system in 2025 will be the body of work. As a small rural county, developing appropriate amenities for visitors and the tourism professionals working in Jefferson County (including front line staff) is a real challenge. Our lack of infrastructure and rooms might be the largest barrier to growing lodging tax revenue and tourism in general. We do not have an effective evaluation method designed to accurately measure the economic impact under the current system, and developing one, using the guidelines set out in the 2012 update of the US Government Accountability Office’s Designing Evaluations, will be a top priority for 2025. 6. Describe your organization’s area of expertise. Do you provide a unique service? The newly refocused TCC will generate a new synergy between the tourism industry and Jefferson County creating a table where open conversations about County and Lodging Tax investment in the tourism promotion can happen in concert with Jefferson County’s strategy and capacity to bring other stakeholders to the table. 3. Background Information about Your Organization Attach the following items to your proposal in the order listed: (Note: To be considered by the Committee, all of the listed information must be included with your proposal.) Attachments: ▬ Proposed 2025 promotion, facility, event or activity budget including income and expenses. ▬ 2024 Budget and Actual income and expense year to date statement(s). ▬ List of names and addresses of the organization’s Board of Directors as of the date the proposal is filed. Also, if the proposal is for the marketing of an event and there is a chairperson for the event (either volunteer or paid), list that individual’s name, address and phone number. ▬ If you desire, you may provide samples of promotion materials such as brochures or promotional materials (maximum of five). Note: Staff will verify Incorporation status of the non-profit agencies who submit service proposals by checking the Washington Secretary of State’s on-line corporation records. 2025 BUDGET: One 1.0 FTE salary+benefits - $83,472.48 Travel and office expenses - $8,000 WTA Participation - $6,000 Total: - $97,472.48 2024 BUDGET TO ACTUAL List of names and addresses of the organization’s Board of Directors as of the date the proposal is filed. Port Ludlow – TCC Chair Diana Smeland Gateway VIC – Steve Shively Quilcene – Coyle – Cleone Telling Brinnon & Hood Canal – Dan Ventura Kalaloch – West end – Amy Neil Forks – Marsha Massey Fort Flager & Marrowstone Is. – Aaron Terada Tri-Area – Bethany Smith Ex-Officio – Greg Brotherton, County Commissioner Contracted Marketing Coordinator - Steve Shively Jefferson County Job Description Job Title: Tourism Marketing & Communications Coordinator Department: County Administrator Reports to: County Administrator FLSA Exempt (Y/N): NO Union: UFCW BBP: NO Salary Level: Grade 30 Location: Courthouse Approved By: Human Resources Director Approved Date: October XX, 2024 MAJOR FUNCTION AND PURPOSE Coordinates program management, administration and support of the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) and Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC), which includes engaging and coordinating with appropriate County staff and Olympic Peninsula Tourism Partners. Coordinates, plans, develops and implements marketing programs, app development, website design and media content development in close partnership with the TCC under general direction of the County Administrator. SUPERVISION EXERCISED This position has no supervisory responsibilities, but is given significant discretion, within the scope of policy and regulations, in the routine performance of their duties. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to the following. Marketing and Communication Oversees and implements all marketing programs, focusing on destination development through use of, social media, web content, or other media as developed and directed by the TCC. Coordinates and facilitates unified branding program implementation with partnerships between TCC and community stakeholders as part of the Olympic Peninsula Master Tourism Plan; including outreach and engagement with County staff as partners in implementation, where appropriate. Collaborates with the North Hood Canal Chamber of Commerce and other partners to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy for tourism to promote Jefferson County effectively and attract a diverse range of visitors. Develops marketing plans and programs for successful media programs to increase overnight and extended stays in local lodging. Organizes, facilitates and manages the process to consolidate and unify messaging and develop Visitor Information Services (VIS) with partners, including the North Hood Canal Chamber of Commerce, . to increase quality and quantity of visitor touches with information and local marketing opportunities. Analyzes and reports on VIS tracking and performance. Monitors sites for out-of-date, obsolete, conflicting or missing content, and broken links. Consolidates and update a repository of photos, videos and media resources for tourism use to be shared with the North Hood Canal Chamber of Commerce Jefferson County Job Description: Tourism Marketing & Communications Coordinator Page 2 of 5 Builds partnerships to develop tourism infrastructure.g Develops working relationships with a variety of regional, state and local agencies, committees, advisory boards, service providers and special interest groups in order to develop tourism and lodging programs and communications. Engages actively with stakeholders including Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau (OPVB), Olympic Peninsula Tourism Commission (OPTC), , State of Washington Tourism, City of Port Townsend, North Hood Canal Chamber of Commerce, National Resource Managers and hospitality providers. TCC and LTAC Program Administration and Support Provides program management and staff support to the LTAC and TCC. Schedules and coordinates LTAC and TCC meetings, including coordinating public announcements, agendas, minutes and records. Coordinates with the LTAC and TCC Chair to attend meetings. Coordinates development and preparation of application for Lodging Tax and Advisory Committee (LTAC) funding, presents application to Committee, and prepares, completes and transmits required reports. Attends meetings of key partners, including the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee and Olympic Peninsula Tourism Commission. Provides input related to marketing venues to address Jefferson County needs. In coordination with the Tourism Coordination Council , creates funding proposals and develops annual budget. Receives and processes invoices for TCC Chair approval. Provides annual report on effectiveness of events and tourism facilities, analyzing the impact on increased tourism attributable to the event, festival or facility. Monitors and reports on program budget and processes invoices for reimbursement in accordance with Jefferson County policy and best practice. Stays abreast of new technologies and emerging media trends. Maintains technical expertise in web design tools and acts as technical resource for software in field of expertise. Other duties as assigned. COMPETENCY To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate competency in the following: Analytical & Problem Solving - Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; synthesizes complex or diverse information; uses reason, intuition and experience to complement data; develops alternative solutions. Project Management - Develops project plans; coordinates projects; communicates changes and progress; completes projects on time and budget. Innovation- Generate suggestions for improving work. Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; pursues training and development opportunities; strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; shares expertise with others. Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; responds promptly to customer needs; responds to requests for service and assistance; meets commitments. Interpersonal Skills & Teamwork - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; maintains confidentiality; Jefferson County Job Description: Tourism Marketing & Communications Coordinator Page 3 of 5 listens to others without interrupting; keeps emotions under control; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; contributes to building a positive team spirit. Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates group presentation skills; participates in meetings. Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; varies writing style to meet needs; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret technical/legal written information. Teamwork – Contributes to building a positive team sprit; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives. Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; develops and implements cost saving measures; contributes to profits and revenue; conserves organizational resources. Ethics - Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and ethically; upholds organizational values. Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization's goals and values; supports affirmative action and respects diversity. Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decision-making process; makes timely decisions. Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources; organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; develops realistic action plans. Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments. Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; applies feedback to improve performance; monitors own work to ensure quality. Quantity - Meets productivity standards; completes work in timely manner; strives to increase productivity; works quickly. Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly. Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events. Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; arrives at meetings and appointments on time. Dependability- Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments; completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan. QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/ or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. EDUCATION and/ or EXPERIENCE Associate’s degree (A.A.) in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, tourism or a related field; AND two (2) years of professional experience in communications, digital marketing, or tourism; OR equivalent combination of education and experience. LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read and interpret documents such as press releases, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to develop complex and engaging Jefferson County Job Description: Tourism Marketing & Communications Coordinator Page 4 of 5 reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization. MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. REASONING ABILITY Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. COMPUTER SKILLS To perform this job successfully, an individual should have experience with Microsoft Office, Publisher, Adobe, and software necessary to develop and design web. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS Valid Washington State Driver's License. Pass criminal background check. OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES Effective communication skills including, but not limited to verbal communication, technical writing, social media development, writing to influence and story-telling. Knowledge of County departments, programs and initiatives and County tourism strategy. Ability to coordinate implementation of County tourism strategies by engaging appropriate County department leaders and outside partners. Ability to manage projects through planning, coordination and implementation by developing scope and schedules and facilitating success with partners and stakeholders. Expertise in marketing, social media engagement, website management, and other media communication tools. Skills in problem solving and making recommendations on complex community and intergovernmental relations, community relations, media relations, community outreach and public affairs, issues and strategies. Knowledge and understanding of Federal, State and County regulations, including the State Public Records Act. Knowledge of marketing campaigns and social media relative to tourism. Ability to take communication points and complex technical information and convert them into desired products and practical information. Jefferson County Job Description: Tourism Marketing & Communications Coordinator Page 5 of 5 Ability to develop relationships with media professionals, Jefferson County employees, elected officials, department directors and key community stakeholders. Ability to work independently and in a work environment. Knowledge of computers and skill in using spreadsheets, word processing, and other software programs. Knowledge of website management and graphics editing. Ability to use any specialized office equipment, such as a personal computer and peripheral computer equipment. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and climb or balance. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. CAREER LADDER POSITION This position is not part of a career ladder. p CaNmss Board of County Commissioners w 1820 Jefferson Street m w PO Box 1220 Port Townsend, WA 98368 III NV,t0 Kate Dean,District 1 Heidi Eisenhour,District 2 Greg Brotherton,District 3 MEMO TO: Jefferson County Tourism Coordinating Council FROM: Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners DATE: September 9,2024 RE: Authorization of LTAC funds for.5FTE TCC staff member After analysis of Jefferson County's Boards and Committees, the Board of County Commissioners BoCC) has chosen to staff the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC)with a .5 FTE staff member, who will be housed within the County, to increase transparency and create greater alignment with County goals and priorities. The salary and benefits for this staff,to be paid with TCC's application for LTAC funds, will begin in January, 2025, and the new staff will begin by updating TCC Bylaws with the TCC and BoCC. This is the first step in the BoCC's efforts to rebuild TCC to be a staff-supported work group developing marketing strategy which integrates the Olympic Peninsula Master Tourism Plan with County goals. The new staff member will staff both TCC and the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee LTAC), and the County Administrator's office will clerk the TCC as well as LTAC. The staff- prepared application will also continue membership in the Olympic Peninsula Tourism Council and Washington Tourism Alliance. Additionally, the BoCC will be prioritizing a portion of the 2025 LTAC funds to advance the development of a tourist-focused Aquatic Center by applying for and directing seed funding for a new Public Facilities District (PFD), including a market study of a mid-county location for both resident and tourist use. Kate Dean, Chair, Dist. No. I H idi isenhour,No. 2 Greg Brotherton, Dist. No. 3 Phone (360) 385-9100 jeffbocc@co.jefferson.wa.us