The Dallas City Council voted unanimously to authorize the city manager to enter into a personal services agreement with the Dallas Area Chamber of Commerce for tourism promotion services in an amount not to exceed $465,000.

Staff described a competitive procurement: the city issued an RFP that closed March 25 and received five proposals; one was disqualified for lateness and two were judged fully responsive (Watson Creative and the Dallas Area Chamber of Commerce). An ad hoc tourism contract review committee recommended the Chamber and asked the city to use the opportunity to develop a destination development plan to guide future tourism strategy.

City Manager Matthew Clebs told the council the Chamber’s proposal includes a destination development plan and the Chamber has applied to Travel Oregon for a competitive grant to support that work. “The Chamber had actually already proactively submitted an application to Travel Oregon’s competitive grant program back in February to support such an effort,” Clebs said, adding the application was for $93,000 with $5,000 in‑kind contribution from the Chamber. Staff said Travel Oregon’s awards are expected to be announced June 17.

The Chamber’s proposal also includes funding to hire an executive tourism director to run the program; the proposal sets a not‑to‑exceed annual budget of $465,000 with a maximum annual increase of 3 percent in subsequent years. Councilors were briefed that the city had tentatively budgeted $450,000 for tourism services in the upcoming fiscal year and that the budget will be adjusted before final adoption.

Councilor Ring moved to authorize the manager to sign the contract; Councilor McLaughlin seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Councilors and several audience members, including Cheryl Rager of the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and a chamber board member who spoke to the council, urged the contract be used to both attract visitors and enhance amenities for residents.

Council discussion focused on clarifying roles and responsibilities for the cruise ship industry and excursion coordination, ensuring reporting and accounting provisions in the contract, and recommending city involvement in hiring the tourism director. Staff noted the contract contains an article requiring annual reports and additional quarterly reporting as requested; staff also said the Chamber has proposed to leverage grant opportunities and has experience coordinating visitor services.

What’s next: staff will finalize the contract for signature and adjust the draft city budget before the June 9 adoption to reflect the contract amount; Travel Oregon grant results are expected June 17. The Chamber said it will post the tourism director job after council approval and will coordinate with city staff on the destination planning process.