Port Orchard’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee agreed on deadlines and application standards on Nov. 10 as it prepared to solicit proposals for the coming year’s tourism-related grants.

Councilmember John Morrissey, who chaired the meeting, told the new and returning members the city expects roughly $100,000 historically but that finance staff budgeted approximately $130,000 for the coming year, and that the committee should reserve about $30,000 for projects tied to FIFA-related waterfront beautification. “We are here to allocate the tax dollars that we collect on any and all lodging facilities within the city limits,” Morrissey said.

The committee discussed a fast timeline for the request-for-proposals. Clerk Brandy Wallace said the city will aim to publish the application quickly and suggested a two-week window for submissions is historically sufficient. Members agreed to set application receipt for Dec. 1 and to schedule applicant presentations in early December, targeting Dec. 4 or Dec. 5, with follow-up deliberations on Dec. 8 or Dec. 9 if needed. Wallace said the clerk’s office will distribute applicant materials to committee members the day after the application closes.

Wallace described the application packet and asked the committee which materials it must require. The committee confirmed three mandatory items: a marketing plan, financial statements (income statement and balance sheet for 2024 and 2025) and reporting documentation; applicants must also provide their most recent tax return. Up to five examples of marketing materials may be submitted. “So there’s 3 out of the requirements, the marketing plan, the financial status, and the reporting requirements,” Morrissey said as he reviewed the checklist.

Members debated whether staff should reject incomplete submissions or notify applicants and allow resubmission. Wallace said she performs a cursory intake review and can notify applicants about obvious omissions, but final determinations about completeness and funding eligibility are for the committee to make during deliberations.

Presentations are expected to be brief—historically 3–5 minutes—with a short period for committee questions. The clerk said outreach will include emailed notice to prior applicants, two consecutive newspaper notices, and posting on the city’s website and social media. Morrissey warned members that applicant requests typically exceed available funds: “You’re probably close to $300,000 in asks, if not more,” he said.

Next steps: staff will post the application, notify prior applicants, and circulate materials to the committee after the application window closes, with presentations and deliberations planned for the first half of December.