Ocean Shores LTAC approves convention-center reserve and funds multiple events, denies several large requests

The City of Ocean Shores Lodging Tax Advisory Committee on Nov. 3 voted to set aside a 10% LTAC reserve for the Ocean Shores Convention Center and approved funding for a slate of community events and marketing projects while denying several other requests.

Committee members approved a motion to hold back 10% of LTAC receipts for a convention-center reserve (a figure cited during discussion as $663,500). The committee then approved a $635,000 award to the Ocean Shores Convention Center; George Lee Garrett recused himself from that vote.

Why it matters: LTAC funds are restricted to tourism promotion and capital improvements that directly support tourism. Committee members said a minimum dedicated reserve for convention-center capital needs would reduce the frequency of small, ad hoc requests to the City Council and give convention-center management a ready source for emergency repairs.

What was approved

- Ocean Shores Convention Center: $635,000 approved. George Lee Garrett recused himself from the vote (recusal noted in meeting transcript). Staff confirmed the convention center has submitted required JLARC reports for awards exceeding $200,000 and that those reports have been filed on time.

- Beachcombers / Glass Float Expo: $8,500 approved. Committee discussion emphasized marketing to out-of-town visitors (not just locals) and increased hotel/hotel-partner promotion.

- Coastal Interpretive Center: $45,812 approved (committee members described removing ineligible facility and visitor-services line items and funding outreach/marketing elements of the application).

- Dark & Stormy Nights Film Festival: $10,000 approved; members praised a detailed marketing plan and suggested further hotel partnerships.

- Grays Harbor Youth Athletics (golf tournament): $10,000 approved; members noted this applicant was one of the first to provide heads-in-beds data and recommended stronger advance participant marketing.

- North Beach Artist Guild (Art in Action): $4,200 approved for the October weekend only; committee members declined to fund summer weekend events in this application.

- North Beach TV (streaming content): $20,000 approved; members asked applicants to prioritize visitor-facing promotional content rather than routine meeting coverage.

- North Beach Independent Media (New Year’s Eve fundraiser for local radio): $25,000 approved; members supported the event’s potential to generate overnight stays in winter.

- Ocean Shores Food Bank — Clergy Beach Party / Corgi event: $5,050 approved; members cited strong social-media exposure for pet-centered events and modest required room nights.

What was denied or partially denied

- Master Gardeners Dig Shores project: denied for the capital-expenditure portion. Committee members determined build phases and capital construction costs are outside allowable LTAC expenditures; a limited amount for promotion might be eligible but the capital components were denied.

- Ocean Shores Marketing Coalition: denied. Members raised concerns about perceived self-promotion, lack of matching funds, community distrust and the coalition’s request to fund 100% of its budget. Committee members asked staff to evaluate turning any coalition assets over to the city and recommended a cost/benefit review of city-managed alternatives (including the “book direct” tool referenced by the coalition).

Administrative and process notes

- Eligibility screening and application form: Several members, and at least one public commenter, urged earlier screening for eligibility (501(c)(3) status and capital-expenditure exclusions). Don Williams (public commenter) reiterated concerns that some applicants may not meet LTAC eligibility criteria.

- JLARC reporting: Staff (Sarah) confirmed that LTAC-related JLARC reporting requirements for awards over $200,000 have been completed for the convention center in prior years.

- Reimbursements and reporting: The committee asked staff to develop a reimbursement procedure and clearer documentation requirements for 2026 awards, and requested a follow-up meeting (possible November date) to finalize the process.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting)

- Motion: 10% convention-center holdback — approved (motion passed; member-cited figure $663,500 during discussion).

- Ocean Shores Convention Center — $635,000 — approved; George Lee Garrett recused.

- Beachcombers / Glass Float Expo — $8,500 — approved.

- Coastal Interpretive Center — $45,812 — approved (committee removed ineligible facility and visitor-services line items in deliberations).

- Dark & Stormy Nights Film Festival — $10,000 — approved.

- Grays Harbor Youth Athletics (golf) — $10,000 — approved.

- Master Gardeners garden tour — motion passed; transcript records disagreement between mover and seconder about the dollar amount and the final approved amount is not clearly specified in the transcript (see audit notes).

- Master Gardeners Dig Shores (capital portion) — denied.

- North Beach Artist Guild (October weekend) — $4,200 — approved.

- North Beach TV (streaming) — $20,000 — approved.

- North Beach Independent Media (New Year’s Eve) — $25,000 — approved.

- Ocean Shores Food Bank / Corgi Beach Party — $5,050 — approved.

- Ocean Shores Hospitality Collaborative — denied; committee encouraged a scaled pilot and clarified nonprofit/certification and measurable metrics requirements.

- Ocean Shores Marketing Coalition — $245,019 request denied; staff asked to evaluate city-managed alternatives and asset transfer logistics.

What’s next

The committee asked staff to prepare a reimbursement policy and clearer application/evaluation forms before the next application round (targeted reopening in early 2026). Members also requested a short meeting in November to start work on reimbursement mechanics and reporting requirements.

Sources: meeting transcript of the City of Ocean Shores Lodging Tax Advisory Committee special meeting, Nov. 3, 2025.