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Thurston County commissioners direct staff to increase lodging-tax pool and support FIFA fan zone
Summary
At a Sept. 3 work session, Thurston County commissioners gave staff direction to raise the county's lodging-tax distribution to $250,000 for 2026 and to allocate $84,000 toward a regional FIFA fan zone, for a combined $334,000. Staff said the county could fund up to $450,000 without depleting reserves.
Thurston County commissioners on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, directed staff to increase the county's lodging-tax (LTAC) distribution to $250,000 for the 2026 cycle and to allocate $84,000 of LTAC funds to help pay for a regional FIFA fan zone, for a combined total of $334,000 in county support.
The board's action came during a work session presentation from Ellen Massey, management analyst, and follow-up discussion with County Manager Leonard Hernandez and commissioners. Massey summarized the LTAC program and applicants and said the county received 23 applications in 2025 and funded 16 projects with a $150,000 distribution.
Why it matters: The lodging tax is restricted to tourism promotion, marketing and related activities; expanding the pool would put more county funds toward events and facilities that county staff and commissioners say bring visitors and out-of-area spending. Staff told commissioners that anticipated LTAC revenue for 2025 is in the $200,000–$250,000 range and that a current fund balance was roughly $369,000, giving the county…
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