Commissioners of the College Place Lodging Tax Advisory Commission reviewed early estimates of lodging-tax revenue for the 2026 award cycle and discussed how the commission manages reserves.

Staff reported the commission's estimated funding availability for 2026 at $68,546.11. "Our estimated amount for funding for the 20 26 LTAC funds are $68,546.11," a staff presenter said during the meeting. Commissioners noted this total is slightly less than the previous year but supplemented by an approximately $10,000 carryover from 2024.

The commission discussed a standing practice of holding a 20% reserve of projected LTAC revenue. Staff described that the commission "always save[s] 20% of that projection" as a rolling reserve to protect against fourth-quarter shortfalls; the commission funds awards from the remaining 80 percent. The panel confirmed the LTAC budgeting follows the city's calendar-year budget.

Commission members asked whether the 20% reserve is required by state LTAC rules or whether it is a local decision. One participant said they had "looked at the state's LTAC stuff" and did not find the 20% requirement in that material but had only skimmed it; the commission assigned staff to confirm whether the reserve is mandated or an internal policy.

Staff also explained that if revenue exceeds projections, the excess rolls into the following year's award pool rather than being redistributed during the same award cycle.

No formal vote was required on the revenue estimate; commissioners accepted the staff's projection and asked staff to verify the legal basis for the 20% reserve and to include confirmed details in future materials.