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LTAC approves split of lodging-tax recommendation: $25,000 each for Downtown Woodland Revitalization and Woodland Visitor Center
Summary
The Local Tourism Advisory Committee accepted the City Council recommendation to split a lodging-tax allocation, awarding $25,000 to Downtown Woodland Revitalization and $25,000 to the Woodland Visitor Center after discussion about the visitor center’s viability and statutory eligibility.
The Local Tourism Advisory Committee on Monday voted to accept the City Council9s recommendation to allocate lodging-tax funds equally: $25,000 to Downtown Woodland Revitalization (DWR) and $25,000 to the Woodland Visitor Center.
Committee members debated whether the visitor center could remain open if it received only $25,000 and discussed statutory limits on lodging-tax spending. Committee members noted the city council had earlier returned the two applications for further LTAC review to ensure compliance with state lodging-tax rules.
The two applications originally sought larger amounts: the chamber-run visitor center asked for $50,000 (reduced to $40,000 in prior staff review) and DWR requested $50,000 (previously reduced to $10,000 in staff recommendations). LTAC members discussed that lodging-tax funds must be used for activities that increase tourism and overnight stays or for tourism-related facilities that directly serve visitors.
Several members said the chamber9s visitor-center proposal and DWR9s application documented efforts to draw out-of-town visitors. Other members questioned the visitor center9s past performance and whether a small staffed facility would generate measurable tourism benefits sufficient to meet state lodging-tax requirements.
Members raised that the Woodland Visitor Center had told the committee it might close as of Jan. 1 without adequate funding, and the committee discussed the consequences of awarding a smaller sum. Staff clarified that if the visitor center did close, any awarded funds that were not spent would remain in the lodging-tax fund balance and roll over to the following year for future allocation.
After discussion, LTAC member Esther Rhodey moved to accept the City Council recommendation and Tim Knight seconded. The committee voted 3-2 to approve the split (three yes, two no); the motion passed.
The committee also noted that DWR could pursue other funding sources, including federal Main Street USA program funding, and that LTAC recommendations must align with state lodging-tax statutes.
Votes at a glance
- Motion: Accept City Council recommendation allocating $25,000 to Downtown Woodland Revitalization and $25,000 to the Woodland Visitor Center. Moved by Esther Rhodey; seconded by Tim Knight. Outcome: Passed, 3 yes, 2 no.
Next steps and context
LTAC9s recommendation will be forwarded as the committee9s formal advice to the City Council. Committee members said they wanted clearer information about the visitor center9s staffing and budget plans before future funding decisions. The committee did not adopt any amendments or additional conditions as part of its vote.
