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Kitsap commissioners approve $1.3 million in 2025 lodging-tax awards; board cites World Cup-related tourism focus
Summary
The Kitsap County Board of Commissioners approved distribution of $1.3 million in 2025 lodging-tax funds, reallocating awards with an emphasis on tourism promotion ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and promising clearer criteria and a faster process for 2026.
The Kitsap County Board of Commissioners voted to approve the distribution of $1,300,000 in 2025 lodging-tax funds after a presentation by Amber Dunwiddie of the county’s Administrative Services Department.
Amber Dunwiddie summarized lodging tax basics, explaining that the county collects the full 4% lodging tax permitted under Washington law (a basic 2% rate plus an optional additional 2%). State law restricts lodging-tax revenues to tourism promotion, acquisition or operation of tourism-related facilities, and special events or marketing designed to attract visitors. Dunwiddie said Kitsap’s lodging tax advisory committee reviewed applications and presented recommendations to the board; the board adjusted allocation amounts before finalizing the awards.
Commissioners discussed the allocation process at some length. One commissioner said FIFA-related tourism potential influenced allocation choices and that some historically funded organizations received reduced awards this cycle. The board acknowledged organizations that may be disappointed and said the awards reflect an attempt to prioritize tourism promotion and county marketing in advance of major regional events.
A motion to approve the distribution was made and seconded. The chair called for a voice vote; the motion carried and the distribution was adopted. The chair said the county recognizes that late award timing has caused hardship for some organizations and pledged a clearer set of criteria and a faster process for the 2026 round.
Dunwiddie said eligible applicants include convention and visitors bureaus, destination marketing organizations, nonprofits such as Main Street organizations, lodging associations or chambers of commerce, and municipalities. The county must maintain a lodging-tax advisory committee when a jurisdiction’s population exceeds 5,000; that committee must include business and tourism representatives and an elected official as chair.
