Title
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON OUTSIDE AGENCY REQUESTS FOR 2017-2018 TOURISM FUNDS
COUNCIL STRATEGIC INITIATIVE ADDRESSED:
Continue effective financial management
CITY ATTORNEY REVIEW: N/A
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
In early June the City extended its biennial invitation to submit requests for funding from the Tourism Fund. A news release announcing that the City was taking applications for the funding of projects or events that support tourism in Longview was distributed to various media outlets. The deadline for submitting applications for this funding cycle was July 6.
The Executive Office received 12 applications. Two applications were also received for General Fund support. The total amount requested for Tourism Fund support was $88,632 for 2017 and $84,032 for 2018.The total amount requested for General Fund support was $15,000 for 2017 and $15,000 for 2018. The applications of organizations requesting lodging tax funds are included with the agenda summary. Additional financial documentation is available upon request.
On August 2 the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee met and unanimously recommended funding of the following applications:
Agency LTAC Recommendation
Project 2017 2018
Columbia Artists Association
Spring Invitational Art Exhibit & Art in the Park $2,500 $2,500
Cowlitz County Historical Museum
Special exhibits and programs $5,000 $5,000
Ethnic Support Council
International Festival $1,700 $1,800
Longview Noon Rotary
SquirrelFest $10,000 $10,000
Go-4th Festival Association
Go-4th Festival $10,000 $10,000
Longview Soccer Club
Cowlitz Kickoff Classic Soccer Tournament $5,000 $5,000
Unique Tin Car Club
Unique Tin Car Show and Cruise $3,000 $3,000
Longview World Series Committee
2018 Babe Ruth World Series $5,000 $20,000
Longview Recreation
Swim, Dash, Splash Triathlon $1,500 $1,500
Kelso/Longview Chamber of Commerce
Squatch Fest $2,500 $2,500
Longview Early Edition Rotary
Catlin Spray Park Repair $0^ $0^
City of Kelso
Visitor Center Operations $0* $0*
Big Idea $3,632 $3,632
TOTAL: $49,832 $64,932
General Fund requests:
Children's Justice Advocacy Center
CJAC Operating Costs $11,000* $11,000*
Community Health Partners
CHP Free Medication Program $4,000* $4,000*
Estimated revenues for the 2017-2018 Tourism Fund are $40,000 annually.
^ Capital Projects Fund Neighborhood Park Grant Program consideration suggested for this request.
*General Fund consideration recommended for this request.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Motion to approve the recommendations of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee and to include in the 2017-2018 Tourism Fund budget the outside agencies' requests and the amounts as presented in the summary statement above, and to include the requests for the General Fund budget. Council may either approve or reject the recommended individual amounts in full, or refer any recommendation back to the LTAC for further consideration, but cannot increase or decrease an individual amount.
STAFF CONTACT:
Kurt Sacha, Finance Director/Assistant City Manager