Woodland LTAC recommends $65,000 package to support visitor center, events and downtown revitalization

The Woodland Lodging Tax Advisory Committee on Tuesday recommended that the city council approve $65,000 in lodging-tax awards for 2026, with $40,000 earmarked for the Woodland Visitor Center, $10,000 for Downtown Woodland Revitalization (DWR), $10,000 for the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens and $5,000 for Woodland Planters Days. The recommendation was adopted unanimously by the five-member committee and will be forwarded to city council for final approval.

The committee’s recommendation matters because LTAC (lodging‑tax advisory) funds are restricted to activities that attract visitors and increase “heads in beds.” Amanda (city staff) told the committee the state law (RCW) requires recipients to provide invoices and proof of expenditures to receive LTAC funds, a change that affects how organizations must budget and whether the city will reimburse expenses after they are incurred.

Downtown Woodland Revitalization presentation: Adonica Simpson, president of Downtown Woodland Revitalization, told the committee DWR has expanded events that attracted visitors this summer, including an outdoor movie series at Horseshoe Lake she said drew “over 1,100 people over a five‑week period.” Simpson said DWR seeks larger LTAC support to lease a downtown space, expand regular events (monthly) and hire more marketing support; she described a proposed operating/marketing plan and said DWR’s draft budget for next year anticipated roughly $75,000 in program revenue, of which DWR expected $50,000 from LTAC, $10,000 from sponsors and $15,000 from Cowlitz County. Katie Brown, DWR volunteer and former Portland downtown marketer, described signage and QR‑driven web traffic the group has generated and said DWR’s online interest has increased markedly.

Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens: Mary Ripp, executive director, requested $10,000 to support advertising and outreach for Lilac Days and other seasonal programming. Ripp described the gardens’ volunteer‑run operations, the organization’s $25,000 annual budget, and that Lilac Days (planned April 18–May 10, 2026) draws thousands of visitors from Washington, Oregon, California, Canada and beyond. Ripp said gate counts for the festival exceed 12,000 over the season.

Woodland Planters Days: Keith Bridal, president of the Planters Days committee, asked for $5,000 to supplement advertising for the event’s 104th annual celebration. Bridal said the multi‑day celebration draws visitors from more than 50 miles away and supports overnight stays in town.

Woodland Visitor Center / Chamber of Commerce: Chuck Halsig and Keith Bridal (Chamber leadership) described the chamber’s visitor‑center request, primarily for operations (staffing, utilities and hours). Halsig said the existing mobile trailer has served as a visitor center for roughly 30 years under a nominal lease arrangement with the state and that the chamber seeks funds to maintain and expand operating hours. The chamber’s application requested operations support roughly equal to its prior request; the committee discussed whether the visitor center model remains the most effective way to drive lodging and spending in Woodland.

Budget context and cash flow: Amanda presented year‑to‑date lodging tax receipts and historical budgets: lodging tax receipts were roughly $63,000 in 2022, $91,000 in 2023 and $81,000 in 2024; the city’s 2025 budgeted awards were approximately $70,000 and year‑to‑date lodging tax receipts as of Sept. 10 were about $43,000. Amanda warned that if awardees must be reimbursed only after incurring expenses (per the RCW interpretation), smaller nonprofits may face cash‑flow challenges.

Public comment: Two members of the public spoke in favor of DWR’s proposals, citing plans for downtown events and young‑people programming. One commenter noted the visitor center trailer had declined in in‑person retail items and urged investment in a more visible downtown presence.

Committee action and next steps: After discussion, committee members moved, seconded and voted to recommend the following awards to city council: Downtown Woodland Revitalization $10,000; Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens $10,000; Woodland Planters Days $5,000; Woodland Visitor Center $40,000 (total $65,000). Amanda will prepare a written recommendation for council. The committee voted unanimously in favor; members agreed to sign the recommendation at city hall so it can be transmitted ahead of council budget review.

The LTAC committee noted the state requirement for reimbursement documentation (invoices and proof of payment) may require organizations to front some expenses and then seek reimbursement. City staff and applicants indicated they will follow up with applicants to clarify allowable uses and reimbursement timing before the council considers the recommendation.