Lodging Tax Advisory Committee

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.

Information on Role of Councilmember Liaisons.

2023 Lodging Tax Funding Cycle
At their December 13, 2022 business meeting, the City Council approved the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee's 2023 funding recommendations as shown below:

OrganizationProjectAwarded
Arts & Humanities BainbridgeBainbridge Creative District 
2023 Bridge Festival
24,700
Bainbridge Arts & CraftsOff-Island Advertising & Marketing6,600
Bainbridge Island Chamber 
of Commerce
Multi-Platform Visitor Engagement Network58,783
Bainbridge Island Downtown AssociationTourist Downtown Walkabout Map, Celebrate BI - Street Dance, Holiday Events31,825
Bainbridge Island Historical MuseumComprehensive & Strategic Marketing Plan12,800
Bainbridge Island Lodging AssociationPromotions and Events, Innovative Program Development for Shoulder Season Tourism Engagement60,860
Bainbridge Island Museum
of Art
Community Cultural Programs & Festivals13,400
Bainbridge Island Parks & Trails Foundation Trail Maps & 2023 Trillium Trail Run8,500
Bloedel ReserveIncreasing Off-Season Visits with Seattle Bus Advertising8,132
Kids Discovery MuseumFam Jam7,480
Visit Bainbridge Island2023 Destination Marketing Campaign100,720
Visit KitsapMaritime & Heritage Tourism Marketing Campaign 4,000
Winery Alliance of Bainbridge IslandWine on the Rock Events12,200

Total
350,000

2022 LTAC Funding 

The City of Bainbridge Island awarded $350,000 for 2022. 

OrganizationProjectAwarded
Annual Report
Arts and Humanities BainbridgeCertified Creative District22,500Link
Bainbridge Arts and CraftsOff-Island Advertising Package10,000Link
Bainbridge Island Chamber of CommerceMulti-Platform Visitor Information Network55,100Link
Bainbridge Island Downtown AssociationDowntown Walking Map Distribution, Kiosk Maps & Online Consolidated Holiday Marketing20,000Link
Bainbridge Island Historical MuseumOur Community Past & Present Exhibit25,000Link
Bainbridge Island Lodging AssociationDestination Bainbridge65,000Link
Bainbridge Island Parks FoundationBIJAC Exclusion Memorial 80th Year Observance18,100Link
Kids Discovery MuseumStrategic Marketing Plan 15,000Link
Visit Bainbridge Island Destination Marketing Plan 93,900Link
Visit Kitsap PeninsulaTourism Marketing13,400Link
Winery Alliance of Bainbridge IslandWine on the Rock Events12,000Link


350,000
2022 LTAC Funding Requests

2021 LTAC Funding Recommendations

Organization

Project

Final 
Report

Awarded

Arts and Humanities BainbridgeCertified Creative District5,000
Bainbridge Arts and CraftsOff-Island Advertising7,000

Bainbridge Island Chamber of CommerceVisitor Information Center38,000
Bainbridge Island Downtown AssociationMulti-Media Destination Marketing Campaign 12,250
Bainbridge Island Historical MuseumOperational Support Tourism Related Facility15,000
Bainbridge Island Lodging AssociationDestination Bainbridge 202141,750
Bainbridge Island Parks FoundationTrail Maps and STO Trail Planning10,000
Kids Discovery MuseumStrategic Marketing Plan9,000
Visit Bainbridge IslandMulti-Media Destination Marketing Campaign70,000
Visit Kitsap Peninsula12-Month Lodging & Tourism Marketing 5,000
Winery Alliance of Bainbridge IslandWine of the Rock (Tourism Marketing/ Special Events
Pending
12,000

Total 
225,000
Organization/Proposal

2020 LTAC Funding Recipients

      
Organization/Proposal Project Final Report   Awarded
Arts & Humanities Bainbridge Currents Online Cultural Collaborations Link 
  10,000
Bainbridge Arts & Crafts Off-Island Advertising Link     5,000
Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information Center Link   40,000
Bainbridge Island Downtown Association Multi-Media Destination Marketing Campaign Link    35,000
Bainbridge Island Historical Museum 2nd Annual Pickleball Founders Tournament Link   12,000
Bainbridge Island Lodging Association Destination Bainbridge: 2020 Link    56,500
Bainbridge Island Museum of Art Cultural Impact Programs & Festivals Link      5,000
Bainbridge Island Parks Foundation Trillium Trail Family Run Link  $6,500 
Bloedel Reserve Shoulder Season Awareness Campaign: "Fish Where the Fish Are"  Link   10,000 
City of Bainbridge Island Downtown Wayfinding Signs  N/A   12,000 
North Kitsap Tourism Coalition Media Support Link      7,000
Visit Bainbridge Island Multi-Media Destination Marketing Campaign Link    50,000
Visit Kitsap Peninsula 12-Month Lodging & Tourism Marketing Campaign
Link    12,000
 Winery Alliance of Bainbridge Island
Wine on the Rock Event
N/A  14,000
Total

  275,000



2019 LTAC Projects

2019 LTAC Recommendations

See the table below for information on projects that received 2019 LTAC funding:

Organization/ProposalFinal ReportRequestedAwarded
Arts & Humanities BainbridgeLink
$  27,000
$  15,000
Bainbridge Arts & CraftsLink$  38,360$  15,000
Bainbridge Island Chamber of CommerceLink$  85,483$  63,000
Bainbridge Island Downtown AssociationLink$  72,885$  50,000
Bainbridge Island History MuseumLink$  21,000$  12,000
Bainbridge Island Lodging AssociationLink$  69,500$  60,000
Bainbridge Island Museum of ArtLink$  20,000$  10,000
Bainbridge Island Winery AllianceLink$  23,650$  15,000
North Kitsap Tourism CoalitionLink$  10,000$  10,000
Visit Kitsap PeninsulaLink$  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.