LTAC opens 2024 lodging-tax grant round after council increases Island County contribution to $50,000

Oak Harbor’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee opened the 2024 lodging-tax grant process on Aug. 15 and outlined schedule, scoring criteria and reporting requirements after City Council approved $375,000 in grant funding and raised the Island County joint tourism contribution to $50,000.

“This is our first meeting for the 2024 grant year,” said Unidentified Speaker 3, a staff member who presented the application timeline and evaluation steps. Staff said the single-year application window will run Aug. 28 through Sept. 13, with application packages and scoring sheets distributed to committee members Sept. 15, an evaluation meeting set for Sept. 19, scoring sheets due Sept. 22, a final LTAC award meeting Sept. 26 and a council presentation Oct. 17 to satisfy the 45-day notice period.

Staff described the dollars available and prior commitments: multiyear grants already committed through 2025 total $161,160, and the amount set aside for 2024 single-year awards is $163,840. After accounting for the council-approved items, staff said the projected ending 2024 lodging-tax fund balance is about $659,000.

The committee reviewed the application scoring rubric and point values. According to staff, the 100-point rubric allocates 20 points for a promotion and marketing plan that reaches visitors from 50 miles or more, 20 points for the potential to increase overnight stays in Oak Harbor, 10 points for event timeline and dates, 15 points for projects targeting the shoulder season (October–May), 10 points for required post-project attendance data (Exhibit B), and smaller point values for economic investment, organizational history and funding necessity.

Staff emphasized that the 50-mile origin requirement and associated data are necessary for state reporting and compliance with RCW 67.28 and reporting to the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC). “Traveling 50 miles or more, coming from another state or country, and that's to be compliant with the statutory requirement,” Unidentified Speaker 3 said.

Committee members expressed concern that available single-year grant funding represents a reduced pool compared with last year. One member noted the new single-year total (about $163,840) is roughly 59% of last year’s awards and suggested notifying applicants not to expect last year’s award levels. The chair urged scorers to apply the rubric consistently and recommended giving applicants more notice and the option to make in-person presentations at the evaluation meeting; the chair said allowing applicants to speak helps clarify entries that might otherwise be judged only on paper.

On related topics, a committee member, Pamela, asked whether planned EV charging stations downtown had been installed; staff said the chargers are "in process" and "should be in place by the end of the year." Pamela (committee member) moved to approve earlier meeting minutes during the session; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Staff said the increase to Island County’s contribution will be implemented through an amendment to the interlocal agreement and includes a provision for biannual review. The increase reduces the pool available to new grant applicants this cycle and prompted discussion about whether LTAC should perform additional analysis under RCW guidance before future amendments are enacted.

Next steps: the committee will receive application packets Sept. 15, evaluate proposals Sept. 19 (10 a.m.), collect scoring sheets by Sept. 22, meet Sept. 26 to finalize recommendations, and forward recommendations to City Council for the Oct. 17 presentation. Application materials and notice will be posted online and in the local paper.

Minutes: A motion to approve the previous meeting’s minutes was made by Pamela during the meeting and received a second; the chair recorded a voice vote in favor.