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Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
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- 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.
2021 Lodging Tax Request for Proposals
The City of Bainbridge Island is seeking proposals for projects to receive funding under the Civic Improvement Fund, which is established through Chapter 67.28 of the Revised Code of Washington (“RCW”) and Section 3.65.040 of the Bainbridge Island Municipal Code.
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.
For 2021, there are approximately $225,000 in Civic Improvement funds (also known as Lodging Tax funds) available for distribution to support selected projects. The City Council has approved funding within a wide range, to encourage innovative projects of all sizes that recognize and promote the exciting – and expanding – tourism trends and opportunities happening on Bainbridge Island. Applicants may seek a minimum award of $2,000 and a maximum award of $112,500 (to reflect 50% of total available funds).
Deadline: 4:00 pm Thursday, October 1, 2020
Project and Applicant Eligibility
Applicants seeking funding for capital expenditures for a tourism-related facility must be a municipality or a public facilities district created under Chapters 35.57 and 36.100 RCW.
Applicants seeking funding for operating expenditures for a tourism-related facility must be a municipality or a public facilities district, or be recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a nonprofit under 26 U.S.C. Sec. 501(c)(3) or 26 U.S.C. Sec. 501(c)(6).
Applicants, other than municipalities or a public facilities district, must be registered with the Washington Secretary of State as a Washington State Corporation.
Individual persons are not eligible for funding.
For-profit, private businesses are not eligible for funding.
Proposals must comply with federal, state, and City of Bainbridge Island laws and requirements.
Funding may be used for expenses incurred during January 1 – December 31, 2021. Funding requests for goods or services to be provided in 2020 or beyond calendar year 2021 will not be considered.
Proposals from non-City organizations with a board member, officer, or staff member serving on the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee are not eligible for funding and will not be considered.
Proposals involving special events, signs, building or construction, impacts to public property, or other activities that require permits under City code or state or federal law must demonstrate that the applicant has researched the appropriate permit regulations, confirmed the viability of the proposed activities, and incorporated permit fees in the project budget.
Information on Role of Councilmember Liaisons.
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2020 Lodging Tax Funding Cycle
For 2020, $275,000 in Civic Improvement funds (also known as Lodging Tax funds) were available for distribution to support selected projects below:
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.