Lodging Tax Advisory Committee

Olympia's Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) was established in 1999 to advise the City Council on how to use City lodging tax revenue for tourism promotion or tourism facility purposes.  There are seven members on Olympia's Committee.

State law requires that cities with a Lodging Tax Fund establish such an advisory committee.  State law also identifies how the Fund may be used and the type of individuals to be appointed to the committee.

The proposal deadline for 2010 tourism-promotion contracts was October 8, 2009.

Resources

Members

  • Jeff Kingsbury , Councilmember and Chair
  • Nathan Allan, Swantown Inn Bed & Breakfast - representing lodging establishments (term ends March 31, 2010)
  • Patty Belmonte, Executive Director, Hands on Children's Museum - representing tourism promotion groups (term ends march 31, 2010)  
  • Russ Carstensen, South Sound Maritime Heritage Association - representing tourism promotion groups (term ends March 31, 2011)
  • Greg Taylor, Phoenix Inn - representing lodging establishments (term ends March 31, 2012)

Membership Criteria

Olympia's Lodging Tax Advisory Committee has five (5) members.  A majority of the members must reside in the City of Olympia or Olympia's Urban Growth Area or represent agencies located in Olympia.

By State law, the Commitee must have at least five (5) members:

  • two members to representative businesses required to collect the tax,
  • two members to represent activities authorized to be funded by the tax,
  • one member from the Olympia City Councilmember who serves as the Chair of the Committee.

Term of Appointment

3 years - Other than the Council member, terms expire in a staggered sequence with no more than two terms expiring in a given year.

Appointment Date

March 31

Meeting Date, Time, Place

Meetings are scheduled as needed - usually three meetings per year, one each in May, September and October.

Staff Liaison

Cathie Butler, Communications Manager,
City of Olympia, 360-753-8361, email

Address Correspondence to:

Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
c/o Cathie Butler, Communications Manager
City of Olympia
PO Box 1967
Olympia, WA 98507-1967

Olympia's Lodging Tax Fund and Advisory Committee

The Lodging Tax is an excise (sales) tax authorized by State law in RCW 67.28, Public Stadium, Convention, Arts and Tourism Facilities.  It is paid by people who stay overnight in a lodging establishment such as a hotel, motel, bed and breakfast facility, or camp ground.

In the City of Olympia, as in neighboring the cities of Lacey and Tumwater, the total sales tax on lodging in 10.4%.  Only part of the 10.4% lodging tax comes to the City of Olympia, with Olympia's share equal to a 4% tax.  Various portions of the remaining tax are revenue for Washington State, Thurston County, Intercity Transit, and the Olympia Timberland Library.

By state law, the Lodging Tax may be used to promote tourism events, locations, and activities for the purpose of attracting visitors. Lodging tax revenue may also be used to pay for capital costs for some tourism-related facilities, the operation of visitor/convention agencies, and the marketing of or the operation of special events and festivals designed to attract tourists.

Under Olympia's guidelines, tourism promotion must be to audiences outside Thurston County. Only non-profit or government agencies are eligible to apply.

Successful applicants must enter into a contract with the City, provide liability insurance, demonstrate sufficient cash flow to cover the costs of the services, and submit proof of costs and payment to the City for reimbursement.  The City reimburses only for actual costs that are covered as part of the contract.

The Committee establishes an annual service proposal process.  The Committe reviews the information and makes its recommendations to the City Council in November when the Council is considering budget proposals for the next year.

The Committee's recommendations are advisory in nature only.  The City Council decides how to use the Lodging Tax Fund within the parameters of the State law.  By State law, the Committee is comprised of a Councilmember who serves as Chair, two members from the lodging establishments in the City who pay the tax, and two members who represent potential recipients of the funds.

Direct questions about the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee proposal process to staff liaison Cathie Butler.