HomeMy WebLinkAbout012625 email - Agenda #17 Letter to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC)ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Dear Commissioners -
The role of Advisory Councils in guiding governance is vital for democratically facilitating the relevant work of the people.
RCW 67.28.1817 outlines enabling legislation convening LTAC (Lodging Tax Advisory Committee) for the proper disbursement of transient accommodations tax (aka "bed tax") remitted by qualified
accommodations within the county.
An equal and representative committee of collectors and visitor activity operators is required by RCW.
Expecting that qualified and representative applications demonstrate a predisposition to alignment with the priorities of Jeff Co. BoCC is not required by RCW.
The value of an independent advisory committee, filled with tourism subject area experts, is essential to assist in supporting priorities that enhance tourism on the Olympic Peninsula.
The priorities which are well researched and collaboratively developed, and are found in the Olympic Peninsula Tourism Master Plan 2024-2029, https://olympicpeninsula.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/O
lympic-Peninsula-Tourism-Master-Plan-2024-Feb-25-2024.pdf <https://olympicpeninsula.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Olympic-Peninsula-Tourism-Master-Plan-2024-Feb-25-2024.pdf> , which
Commissioner's Eisenhour and Brotherton were both actively involved in development and initial implementation.
The three key strategic goals in the Olympic Peninsula Tourism Master Plan are:
1. Enhance targeted marketing efforts to increase awareness of spring, fall and winter travel seasons.
2. Develop diversified year-round tourism product and visitor experiences to engage a wider variety of consumer lifestyles.
3. Increase government, community and industry alignment around sustainable tourism development.
I encourage you to not sign the 1/27/2025 Letter to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC). Rather, engage with the expertise of the currently seated LTAC and resources from OPTC
(Olympic Peninsula Tourism Commission) to realign BoCC's priorities for Jeff Co. tourism with the three key strategic goals of the Olympic Peninsula Tourism Master Plan.
Thank you for your consideration.
Steve Shively,
Port Townsend, WA