LTAC asks staff to draft a signature-event definition and flags 50/50 security split

Sunnyside — At its Nov. 13 meeting the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee asked city staff to prepare a written definition and guidelines for what the city will consider a "signature event." The committee also spent substantial time discussing a City Council decision that requires event organizers and the city to split security costs 50/50 for signature events beginning in 2026.

The committee’s direction to staff was procedural but consequential: members want a clear standard to distinguish high-impact, tourism-driving signature events from smaller community activities that should secure their own funding. "We don't want the term signature event to be a crutch for organizations," one member said during the discussion, urging a clear set of criteria that include multi-day programming and the ability to attract out-of-area visitors.

Council’s 50/50 security decision — reported by the LTAC chair at the meeting — affects event budgets and organizers’ requests. Several applicants presented 2026 proposals that reflected the new split, and organizers warned the first year of implementation would be the most uncertain while they learn true security costs. The committee repeatedly asked organizers to include itemized security estimates in their applications and to provide receipts as part of the reimbursement process.

Committee members recommended staff research historical references in the Sunnyside Municipal Code and bring a draft definition back to LTAC for review. Members said a written definition will help ensure consistency when awarding lodging-tax funds and reduce later disputes over eligibility or expectations.