Pacific Tourism Commission approves 2026 budget, creates grant-style funding process and okays penny press and landscaping purchases

Pacific Tourism Commission members approved a draft 2026 tourism budget and several spending and program changes during a meeting where commissioners and staff reviewed event line items, capital purchases and how bed‑tax money should be allocated.

The commission approved a budget that the presenter said estimates $321,200 in expenses and roughly $1,067,900 in event and other revenue, with bed‑tax receipts estimated at $135,000; combined, the presenter said the numbers “actually put us in the black at $9,700.” Tourism Director O’Malley presented the spreadsheet and walked commissioners through individual events and capital items.

Commission members said most event line items were based on historical expenditure and revenue, and discussed several new or uncertain items including a Route 66 Barbecue, Battle of the Bands, and Railroad Days. Commissioners noted big-ticket items deserve line‑item breakdowns and bids; one member asked staff to supply detailed estimates for any budgeted item in five figures.

On funding of the Pacific Partnership (a downtown events/partnership group), the commission voted to taper bed‑tax support rather than end it immediately. Commissioners agreed to reduce a prior $10,000 allocation to $5,000 for the coming year, with a proposed plan to reduce that further over the next two years and to consider a contingency application process for additional one‑time requests.

The commission voted to create a standard application form and process so tourism funds could be awarded to multiple organizations (the Chamber, nonprofits, churches and others) on a sponsorship/grant basis rather than via a single blanket payment to the Partnership. Tourism Director O’Malley said the form would allow groups to explain how a request “helps the city” and let the commission allocate funds with greater transparency.

On capital purchases and programs, commissioners approved two items to be paid from capital/commission funds: buying a contemporary penny press (with four stamp plates; the vendor quoted a design‑change option at roughly $800 per new plate set) and up to $5,000 for landscaping and a pedestrian pathway at the Red Cedar Inn entrance. Commissioners discussed alternatives (a paved path, stamped concrete, retaining walls, low‑maintenance surfacing) and asked staff to review three existing quotes; staff said purchases under $5,000 could proceed via purchase order so work might be completed before the fiscal year ends.

The commission also discussed but deferred a decision on a Placer.ai subscription (location analytics) pending a joint review with other city departments; commissioners agreed to budget funds now so a later review could either confirm the purchase or return the money to the miscellaneous line if Placer.ai did not meet expectations.

To address limited volunteer availability, the commission approved creating a $9,000 line item for part‑time or as‑needed event staffing to be used for setup, day‑of support, promotion and other event tasks; staff will seek clarifications from the city attorney and human resources about hiring models and liability/contract forms before filling roles.

Finally, the commission approved participating in the Washington Town & Country Fair with a staffed tent and promotional materials. Staff said fair organizers allow staged hours when the tent must be staffed and that the commission would receive two daily passes per tent day for volunteers; commissioners also agreed volunteers should receive modest perks (meals, shirts, passes) covered from event expense lines.

Votes at a glance • Motion to create a sponsorship/grant application process for tourism funding — outcome: approved by voice vote; recorded as "ayes" and motion carried (voice vote; exact tally not specified). • Motion to reduce direct Partnership bed‑tax funding to $5,000 this year and adopt a tapering plan in subsequent years — outcome: approved by voice vote (voice vote; exact tally not specified). • Motion to purchase a penny press (contemporary model, with Centennial stamps included) and to approve up to $5,000 for landscaping at the Red Cedar Inn entrance — outcome: approved by voice vote; motion carried (voice vote; exact tally not specified). • Motion to allocate a $9,000 as‑needed part‑time/event‑staffing fund — outcome: approved by voice vote (voice vote; exact tally not specified). • Motion to staff a booth/tent at the Washington Town & Country Fair — outcome: approved by voice vote (voice vote; exact tally not specified).

The commission chair scheduled the next meeting for the second Tuesday of the month at 3:30 p.m. and adjourned following the budget vote.

Sources: Meeting transcript of the Pacific Tourism Commission (presentations and voice votes)