Lodging Tax Advisory Committee recommends funding 18 tourism projects from 32 applicants

Thurston County staff told commissioners on Feb. 18 that the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) reviewed 32 applications requesting a total of more than $564,000 and recommended funding 18 projects within a $250,000 budget.

LTAC staff described a scoring rubric used to prioritize projects that best "put heads in beds" in unincorporated Thurston County. Applications scoring 55% or higher were recommended; staff said they prorated funding according to score and rounded to the nearest $1,000. The committee also set aside $84,000 for FIFA-related efforts, a separate category.

Commissioners asked for additional detail about what each applicant proposed and how applicant "heads in beds" estimates were calculated. One commissioner asked for a short description of each recommended project so the board could understand whether funding would support marketing, events, infrastructure or other visitor-generating activity.

LTAC staff said the rubric relies on applicant self-reported estimates for how many visitors or "heads in beds" an event or marketing project would produce. Staff acknowledged that self-reported numbers vary in conservatism and said the committee plans an after-action review and possible rubric refinements.

The board discussed next steps: staff will provide commissioners with brief project descriptions and event details in advance of the March 3 consent agenda where awards are typically finalized, and the advisory committee will review scoring processes for potential improvements.