Clallam County LTAC approves $2.15 million first-round allocation for 2026, holds second-round decision

The Clallam County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee voted unanimously Sept. 11 to allocate $2,150,000 for the first round of 2026 lodging-tax-funded grants, a sum that includes placeholders for the Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau and parks/fair facilities.

Committee members said they deferred a final decision on a second round of funding and will reassess after additional revenue data is available in the coming months. The motion, made by Beth Pratt, executive director of the Swim Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce, and seconded by another committee member, passed with all present voting "aye." Pratt moved: "I move that we allocate 2,150,000.00 in the first round inclusive of OPVB and the parks fair and other, and that we pause on a decision on allocations for a second round of funding, dependent on income and data over the next so many months."

The vote followed a lengthy discussion of recent revenue volatility, reserve policy and the purpose of a two-round grant cycle. County finance staff member Mark (county staff presenter) summarized recent trends and the county's financial position: "I am projecting that we end 2025 with LTAC revenues of $2,127,425." He told the committee that a Department of Revenue audit produced a net…