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Tourism funding splits council: some lodging-tax awards approved, two requests sent back for reconsideration
Summary
Council approved $10,000 for Lilac Gardens and $5,000 for Planters Day but asked the lodging-tax advisory committee to reconsider allocations to Downtown Woodland Revitalization and the Woodland Visitor Center (Chamber) after an extended public debate over roles and use of funds.
Woodland City Council on Oct. 6 voted to authorize two lodging-tax grants and sent two others back to the Lodging-Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) for reconsideration after an extended public discussion about how best to use restricted “heads and beds” funds.
The council approved a $10,000 award to Lilac Gardens (Ordinance/Agreement item) and $5,000 to the Woodland Planters Day celebration committee. The council then voted to send two larger requests — a $10,000 award recommended to Downtown Woodland Revitalization (DWR) and $40,000 recommended for operation of the Woodland Visitor Center (currently run by the Woodland Chamber of Commerce) — back to the LTAC for further review and negotiation.
DWR President Donica Simpson told the council her group has run events that drew thousands and that a larger LTAC award would be spent on advertising, website improvements and event expansion: “We respectfully ask that funds granted to them be directly used for marketing,” she said, and added DWR “put every penny back into Woodland.”
Chamber and visitor-center supporters said the center documents visitor contacts, refers travelers to local lodging, and operates daily, which LTAC considered a tourism service. Chamber director Neil Butler said the LTAC had recommended continued operation of the visitor center and recommended the Chamber run it: “The Chamber of Commerce has been a proud partner with this community for close to, a little shy of a hundred years,” he said.
Council discussion focused on whether LTAC-funded projects should prioritize large regional draws that create overnight stays versus local events and downtown beautification that may attract mostly local attendees. Council Member Dowdy said DWR had more energy and local events; other council members emphasized the visitor center’s role in tracking visitors and directing them to area lodging. The council directed staff to reconvene LTAC to reach a revised funding plan; two allocations (Lilac Gardens and Planters Day) were approved at Oct. 6 while DWR and the visitor center awards will be revisited.
The council noted LTAC recommendations are advisory; the council can approve, amend, or return allocations for further consideration. Minutes and LTAC application materials will be available with the signed contracts for approved awards and the LTAC reconsideration process will be scheduled publicly before the next council meeting.
