Lacey LTAC reviews 2026 lodging-tax applications, schedules interviews for up to 10 applicants

The Lacey Lodging Tax Advisory Committee met Sept. 25 and reviewed 28 applications for the 2026 lodging-tax funding cycle, city management analyst Stacy Sigler said at the meeting. Committee members identified a list of applicants they want to invite for supplemental interviews and discussed program rules, data-tracking tools and a substantial budget gap between requests and estimated revenues.

Why it matters: Lodging-tax revenues can be used only for tourism marketing, events and tourism-related facilities; the committee’s recommendations will inform Council action in November and contracts for the 2026 funding cycle. Applicants are competing for a pool that city finance estimates at about $587,500 while total requests this year total $966,719, leaving an apparent gap of roughly $379,219 (staff noted that figure excludes reserves and interest earnings).

What the committee heard and decided: Sigler summarized administrative and policy updates for the review process. The committee voted (procedural vote to approve the meeting agenda and prior minutes was taken at the opening…