State law requires that cities with a Lodging Tax Fund establish an advisory committee. State law also identifies how the Fund may be used and specific representation of individuals appointed to the committee.

Resources

• Annual Proposal Process and Forms
• Committee Recommendations
• Meeting Agenda and Minutes

Members

• Julie Hankins, Councilmember and Chair
• Nathan Allan, Swantown Inn Bed & Breakfast - representing lodging establishments (term ends March 31, 2013)
• Russ Carstensen, South Sound Maritime Heritage Association - representing tourism promotion groups (term ends March 31, 2014)
• Jack Kiley, Puget Sound/State Senior Games - representing tourism promotion groups (term ends march 31, 2013)
• Greg Taylor, Phoenix Inn - representing lodging establishments (term ends March 31, 2015)

Membership Criteria

Olympia's Lodging Tax Advisory Committee has five (5) members. A majority of the members must reside in the City of Olympia or Olympia's Urban Growth Area or represent agencies located in Olympia.

By State law, the Commitee must have at least five (5) members:

• Two members to represent businesses required to collect the tax,
• Two members to represent activities authorized to be funded by the tax,
• One member from the Olympia City Councilmember who serves as the Chair of the Committee.

Term of Appointment

3 years - Other than the Council member, terms expire in a staggered sequence with no more than two terms expiring in a given year.

Appointment Date

March 31

Meeting Date, Time, Place

The Olympia Lodging Tax Advisory Committee will meet to consider proposals on Monday, October 15, 2:00 p.m., at Olympia City Hall - Room 207, 601 Fourth Avenue E, Olympia.

Staff Liaison

Cathie Butler, Communications Manager,
City of Olympia, 360.753.8361,  cbutler@ci.olympia.wa.us

Address Correspondence to:

Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
c/o Cathie Butler, Communications Manager
City of Olympia
PO Box 1967
Olympia, WA 98507-1967

Olympia's Lodging Tax Fund and Advisory Committee

The Lodging Tax is an excise (sales) tax authorized by State law in RCW 67.28, Public Stadium, Convention, Arts and Tourism Facilities. It is paid by people who stay overnight in a lodging establishment such as a hotel, motel, bed and breakfast facility, or camp ground.

Only part of the lodging tax comes to the City of Olympia, with Olympia's share equal to a 4% tax. Various portions of the remaining tax are revenue for Washington State, Thurston County, Intercity Transit, and the Olympia Timberland Library.

By state law, the Lodging Tax may be used to promote tourism events, locations, and activities for the purpose of attracting visitors. Lodging tax revenue may also be used to pay for capital and/ or operating costs for some tourism-related facilities, the operation of visitor/convention agencies, and the operation and marketing of special events and festivals designed to attract tourists.

Under Olympia's guidelines, tourism promotion must be to audiences outside Thurston County. Only non-profit or government agencies are eligible to apply.

Successful applicants must enter into a contract with the City, provide liability insurance, demonstrate sufficient cash flow to cover the costs of the services, and submit proof of costs and payment to the City for reimbursement. The City reimburses only for actual costs that are covered as part of the contract.

The Committee establishes an annual service proposal process. The Committe reviews the information and makes its recommendations to the City Council in November when the Council is considering budget proposals for the next year.

The Committee's recommendations are advisory. The City Council makes the final decision regarding the Lodging Tax Fund within the parameters of the State law. By State law, the Committee is comprised of a Councilmember who serves as Chair, two members from the lodging establishments in the City who pay the tax, and two members who represent potential recipients of the funds.

Direct questions about the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee proposal process to staff liaison to Cathie Butler at cbutler@ci.olympia.wa.us.