Liberty Lake committee recommends $195,572 in 2025 lodging-tax grants for eight local events and groups

The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee on Feb. 11 recommended $195,572 in lodging-tax grants for 2025 to eight local organizations that run events intended to generate overnight stays in Liberty Lake.

The recommendation, moved by David Heimbach and seconded by Shannon Dionier, covers a collective group request for the year and will be forwarded to the City Council for final approval. "These funds are awarded on a reimbursement basis," staff said during the meeting, meaning recipients will be paid after they document eligible expenses and event activity.

The committee heard presentations from all eight applicants and discussed how each activity supports hotel occupancy. Brian Asmus, secretary of the Liberty Lake Police Foundation, requested $1,500 to promote the foundation's Cops, Cars and Cruisers car show, scheduled for Sept. 13 at the Meadowood Technology Campus. Asmus said the event drew more than 200 participants last year and that registration materials include hotel contact information for Quality Inn and Best Western. "We are a, almost brand new 5 0 1 c 3 organization," Asmus said, noting this is the first year the foundation is the event sponsor and that proceeds will support local Special Olympics programs.

Sue Hamblett, representing the Friends of the Liberty Lake Library, asked for $900 to help cover food costs for the group’s annual soiree. Hamblett said the event draws attendees from Spokane County and neighboring states, and that the Friends keep ticket prices stable to remain inclusive.

Phil Champlin, executive director of the Hub SportsCenter, asked for $20,000 to support year-round marketing and operations tied to roughly 58 overnight-stay events the center hosted last year. Champlin said about 60% of participants traveled from more than 50 miles away and estimated the Hub’s events generate ‘‘around a little over 4,000 room nights’’ regionally, with about 1,000 of those in Liberty Lake and an annual economic impact of roughly $7 million from tournaments and camps.

Other applicants included the Kiwanis Club of Liberty Lake (multiple community events including a garage sale, July 4 activities and Barefoot in the Park; requested amount not specified in the meeting), the Liberty Lake Rotary Club (Rim Ride fundraising event; requested amount not specified), TAC at the Lake / Liberty Lake Community Theater (season support; theater season cost given as about $40,000 with the application described as covering roughly 50% of the season), Visit Spokane (regional destination marketing organization; application to promote Liberty Lake tourism-related small business promotion), and WinterGlow (annual winter event in Orchard Park; specific ask not stated in the meeting).

Presenters highlighted how they advertise hotel links, include lodging information in marketing and track registrants’ home locations to estimate overnight stays. Rotary’s Jeff Grimes said the Rim Ride drew 532 participants last year and that about 45% of riders were from outside the immediate area; he estimated 30–60 riders stayed overnight based on registration answers. TAC at the Lake's Kyle Smock said the theater produces five shows a year with about 4,000 audience members annually and requires a steady inflow of new participants to grow audience numbers.

Committee members reviewed budget context before the vote. Staff noted the collective 2025 requests totaled $195,572 while estimated available resources for 2025 were $268,450, including carryover. The committee heard that lodging-tax reimbursements are paid after applicants document eligible expenses and that award recommendations are advisory and subject to City Council review.

The committee approved the recommendation by voice vote; the motion record shows the mover, David Heimbach, and a second. Committee members were asked to attend the upcoming City Council meeting where the council will consider final approval of the grants.

The meeting also included routine agenda and minutes approvals and closed after a public-comment check with no additional remarks.