HomeMy WebLinkAbout040723 City of PT Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Launches Grant ProgramCityaj
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2023
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John Mauro, City Manager
360.379.5043 „Lima uiro @ dtyo'fpt.us
CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE LAUNCHES GRANT PROGRAM
Grant program looking for proposals for funding LTAC-related activities
pursuant to RCW 67.28; applications due on Monday, May 8.
PORT TOWNSEND — The City of Port Townsend Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) invites proposals for
funding LTAC-related activities. LTAC will review proposals for funding with an intent to award grants totaling
$20,000 split between fall and spring cycles. The City anticipates that funding requests for new projects or
initiatives as part of the application process to between $1000 - $10,000 each cycle. Applications can be
submitted at City Hall or through an online application portal at htt s: cit of t:.us be a e Ilod 'in -tax-
g_dvisiry coimirruirttee. Applications close on Monday, May 8, and will be considered at a Special Meeting of
LTAC scheduled for Friday, May 12.
All proposals must meet the minimum statutory requirements of RCW 67.28. Event organizers must
demonstrate that they have appropriately mitigated any potential impacts and acquired any required
permits. Proposals will be evaluated against weighted criteria determined by LTAC.
City Manager John Mauro says: "State law requires lodging tax dollars to be spent on tourism -related
activities. I'm grateful to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee for working through their budget proposal to
City Council with an awareness of those constraints, and with a creative eye on how we can deliver better
outcomes for our community."
Current lodging tax funds are distributed among a variety of initiatives, including marketing, events,
infrastructure, fee waivers and debt service.
The development of the LTAC budget is part of the development of the City of Port Townsend budget. This
begins nearly 6 months before the start of the subsequent year and includes state -mandated statutory
milestones and deadlines. In the 2023 budget, LTAC proposed to City Council a budget allocation for grants
for a total of $20,000. City Council agreed and included this in the 2023 City budget.
LTAC Chair, Mayor David J. Faber, says, "I'm excited that LTAC is looking to be more community -facing in
helping generate creative new ideas for how our community invests our lodging tax funds. By working
together more closely with the community, we're seeking to deliver tourism -related outcomes that line up
with our community values. This new program exemplifies their good work and their service — and provides
250 Madison oin Street - Suite 2. Pourt'rownseind - WA 98368 l www.crityofpt,,us
City0f
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anexciting new opportunity for our creative community. I'm looking forward tnseeing and reviewing
applications next month."
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For more information and to apply, gnmthe LT4Cwebsite:ty5 f/qq
For more onthe yearly LTA[ƒundingcycle, please see:
For more onLTA[including information onState law, see:
250 Madison Street - Suite 2. Poirt'rownseind - WA 983618 l wwwAtyofpLus