HomeMy WebLinkAbout060225 email - Additional Public Comment re_ LTACALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
To: Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners
Date: June 2, 2025
Dear Commissioners,
I strongly support expanding the number of participants on County LTAC. More voices at the table enrich the conversation and improve outcomes. To that end, I also encourage establishing
a non-voting reciprocal position between County and City LTAC bodies. As a past applicant to both, I have observed applicants routinely encouraged by one body to seek funding from the
other. While no applicant is entitled to funding, this ping-ponging of local tourism programs can appear disjointed - especially to applicants unfamiliar with the internal context.
Establishing a liaison structure would foster alignment, reduce confusion, and create greater public understanding of what these bodies do and how they serve the shared goal of attracting
and serving visitors to Jefferson County.
Regarding the number of “legacy” members on County LTAC: I strongly support new voices stepping forward, and I want to share additional context around why some of our local “big small
businesses” may have historically been so well-represented. Independent operators, such as the STR owners referenced by Commissioner Brotherton, often face different bandwidth challenges
than larger hospitality organizations, which can affect their ability to serve consistently. A healthy mix of both is not only possible with more seats, but highly desirable. (I say
this from experience. I’ve managed The Washington Private Suites in downtown Port Townsend for four years. Today, The Washington partners with Vacasa to manage daily operations, which
allows me to more fully engage as a tourism stakeholder, while still understanding firsthand the demands of hospitality work.)
As LTAC continues to evolve, I encourage the County to consider additional improvements to LTAC, perhaps with the new Committee seated. Three priorities I’d like to see:
- Implementing a brief onboarding process for new members. This could include a review of relevant RCWs, funding eligibility, the role of related entities like the TCC, and basic public
meeting law. This type of orientation would support more consistent and confident participation, particularly as LTAC’s decisions directly shape the investment of public funds.
- Stronger language around conflicts of interest. In small communities, overlapping roles are often unavoidable. But clearly defined standards for disclosure and recusal can go a long
way in maintaining public trust and ensuring decisions are made with fairness and transparency. (Additional seats would be a benefit here, too.)
- An equity lens in how participation is structured. Meeting times, access to materials, and clarity of process all affect who feels welcome and capable of engaging. As we increase expectations
for LTAC performance, we must also remove barriers that discourage newer or underrepresented voices, particularly if that is a stated goal.
I appreciate that this conversation is being approached with care. As a respected public employee recently reminded me, “Government is meant to be slow, that allows us to be intentional
and deliberate.” I believe “deliberate” is the key word here. LTAC is one of few public bodies that makes spending recommendations to the BoCC. Expectations around performance, onboarding,
and ethics are tools to ensure LTAC performs at the highest level possible, which is no less than our community deserves from the regional economic engine that is tourism.
Thank you for your time and deliberate consideration.
Alexis Arrabito
360.774.0825 | website <http://alexisjulian.com/>