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Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
Important Dates (all meetings will be held on Zoom)
- Monday, Oct. 18 (6-7:00 pm) – Meeting #1 Orientation
- Monday, Oct. 25 (6-7:30 pm) – Meeting #2: Application Review
- Wednesday, Nov. 3 (4 -7 pm or 5- 8 pm) – Meeting #3: Applicant Presentations
- Monday, Nov. 15 (6-7:30 pm) – Meeting #4: Funding Recommendations
Request for Proposal- 2022 Lodging Tax Funding Cycle
The City of Bainbridge Island has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) (pdf / word document) for projects to receive funding in 2022 under the Civic Improvement Fund (also known as LTAC). Proposals must be for tourism marketing projects, marketing and operations of special events or festivals, the operation of eligible tourism-related facilities, or capital expenses for an eligible tourism-related facility.
A committee of two individuals representing businesses that generate the lodging tax, two individuals representing organizations that can receive awards, and one voting councilmember will review the proposals, hear presentations, and arrive at an award recommendation for Council in the fourth quarter. The City plans to award a total of $350,000 in 2022, with awards ranging from $2,000 to $175,000. In a typical year, roughly a dozen organizations receive an award.
Proposals are due by Thursday, September 30, 2021 @ 4pm.
2021 Lodging Tax Funding Cycle
In response to a Request for Proposals issued by the City in the Fall of 2020, the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee ("LTAC") received 12 proposals totaling $462,402. For 2021, there were approximately $225,000 in Civic Improvement funds (also known as Lodging Tax funds) available to distribution to support selected projects.
In February, 2021, LTAC held a series of meetings and developed their funding recommendations as detailed in the table below. The City Council is scheduled to discuss those funding recommendations at their March 23 Business Meeting.
2021 LTAC Funding Recommendations
Organization/Proposal | Project | Requested | Awarded |
| Arts and Humanities Bainbridge | Certified Creative District | $10,000 | $5,000 |
| Bainbridge Arts and Crafts | Off-Island Advertising | $14,000 | $7,000 |
| Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce | Visitor Information Center | $61,500 | $38,000 |
| Bainbridge Island Downtown Association | Multi-Media Destination Marketing Campaign | $67,600 | $12,250 |
| Bainbridge Island Historical Museum | Operational Support Tourism Related Facility | $15,506 | $15,000 |
| Bainbridge Island Lodging Association | Destination Bainbridge 2021 | $90,700 | $41,750 |
| Bainbridge Island Parks Foundation | Trail Maps and STO Trail Planning | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Kids Discovery Museum | Strategic Marketing Plan | $19,000 | $9,000 |
| Mobility for All | Bainbridge Electric Shuttle | $33,646 | -0- |
| Visit Bainbridge Island | Multi-Media Destination Marketing Campaign | $99,700 | $70,000 |
| Visit Kitsap Peninsula | 12-Month Lodging & Tourism Marketing | $18,000 | $5,000 |
| Winery Alliance of Bainbridge Island | Wine of the Rock (Tourism Marketing/ Special Events | $22,750 | $12,000 |
| Total | $462,402 | $225,000 |
2020 LTAC Funding Recipients
| Organization/Proposal | Project | Requested | Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arts & Humanities Bainbridge | Currents Online Cultural Collaborations |
$ 14,000
|
$ 10,000
|
| Bainbridge Arts & Crafts | Off-Island Advertising | $ 14,000 | $ 5,000 |
| Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce | Visitor Information Center | $ 65,410 | $ 40,000 |
| Bainbridge Island Downtown Association | Multi-Media Destination Marketing Campaign | $ 68,100 | $ 35,000 |
| Bainbridge Island Historical Museum | 2nd Annual Pickleball Founders Tournament | $ 29,910 | $ 12,000 |
| Bainbridge Island Lodging Association | Destination Bainbridge: 2020 | $ 89,600 | $ 56,500 |
| Bainbridge Island Lodging Association | July 4th Fireworks | $ 45,000 | -0- |
| Bainbridge Island Museum of Art | Cultural Impact Programs & Festivals | $ 20,000 | $ 5,000 |
| Bainbridge Island Parks Foundation | Trillium Trail Family Run | $ 9,000 | $ 6,500 |
| Bloedel Reserve | Shoulder Season Awareness Campaign: "Fish Where the Fish Are" | $ 23,000 | $ 10,000 |
| City of Bainbridge Island | Downtown Wayfinding Signs | $ 36,000 | $ 12,000 |
| North Kitsap Tourism Coalition | Media Support | $ 10,000 | $ 7,000 |
| Visit Bainbridge Island | Multi-Media Destination Marketing Campaign | $ 71,500 |
$ 50,000 |
| Visit Kitsap Peninsula | 12-Month Lodging & Tourism Marketing Campaign |
$ 24,000 |
$ 12,000 |
| Winery Alliance of Bainbridge Island |
Wine on the Rock Event |
$ 27,750 |
$ 14,000 |
| Total |
|
$547,270 |
$275,000 |
2019 LTAC Projects
See the table below for information on projects that received 2019 LTAC funding:
| Organization/Proposal | Final Report | Requested | Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arts & Humanities Bainbridge | Link | $ 27,000 | $ 15,000 |
| Bainbridge Arts & Crafts | Link | $ 38,360 | $ 15,000 |
| Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce | Link | $ 85,483 | $ 63,000 |
| Bainbridge Island Downtown Association | Link | $ 72,885 | $ 50,000 |
| Bainbridge Island History Museum | Link | $ 21,000 | $ 12,000 |
| Bainbridge Island Lodging Association | Link | $ 69,500 | $ 60,000 |
| Bainbridge Island Museum of Art | Link | $ 20,000 | $ 10,000 |
| Bainbridge Island Winery Alliance | Link | $ 23,650 | $ 15,000 |
| North Kitsap Tourism Coalition | Link | $ 10,000 | $ 10,000 |
| Visit Kitsap Peninsula | Link | $ 18,000 | $ 12,000 |
| Total | $388,378 | $262,000 | |
Purpose
The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) reviews and comments on proposals for expenditures from the City's Lodging Tax Fund, also known as the Civic Improvement Fund.
The Civic Improvement Fund, created through a state tax on overnight stays in lodging establishments (i.e.., hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts), provides funding for projects that will promote tourism and for the acquisition or operation of tourism-related facilities as specified in RCW 67.28.
The LTAC is required to include:
- At least two representatives from Bainbridge Island businesses which collect lodging taxes, and
- At least two representatives of businesses or agencies eligible to receive lodging tax funding.
In addition, a Councilmember serves as LTAC Chair, with another Councilmember acting as Co-Chair in a non-voting role.
Information on Role of Councilmember Liaisons.