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Pacific tourism commission forwards bed-tax spending plan — marketing, Red Cedar events, Route 66 and museum exhibits
Summary
The commission voted to forward a proposed bed-tax allocation package to the Board of Aldermen that directs funding to marketing ($45,000), Red Cedar events ($15,000), Route 66 placemaking (about $24,500) and other items; the package will be reviewed by the aldermen.
The Pacific Tourism Commission voted to send a recommended bed-tax spending package to the city’s Board of Aldermen, allocating funds to marketing, downtown attractions and partnership programs.
Speaker 2 recapped the package and motions: "we've got our 15 grand going to the Red Cedar, 25,100 for the rat rod, 10 grand for the ice cream shop, 24,000 for Route 66," and other line items, then moved "that’s what we submit to the board of aldermen for the tourism bed tax funds." Speaker 1 seconded and the motion passed with ayes recorded.
As discussed in the meeting, the commission’s recommended allocations include: $45,000 for marketing and promotion (including billboard and print/digital ads), $15,000 for Red Cedar events, approximately $25,100 to support the car show/kids area and related activities, $10,000 as the commission’s contribution toward a proposed soda/ice cream shop project (paired with a larger grant), roughly $24,000–$24,500 for Route 66 placemaking and signage, $8,000 for museum exhibits and $10,000 for a partnership/contract line. Commissioners noted they were leaving no direct tourism commission allocation for the rodeo in this package; the rodeo’s contracted costs and revenue-sharing arrangements will remain under separate review.
Commissioners debated whether certain events — specifically fireworks — attract out-of-town visitors or primarily local residents. Speaker 2 said fireworks appear to draw primarily local people and the group agreed to keep fireworks out of the tourism recommendation pending better attendance data. Speaker 1 asked staff to investigate available attendance data (including cellphone-based estimates) to inform next-year planning.
Next steps: the commission’s recommendations will go to the Board of Aldermen for approval. Staff will provide clarifying detail on vendor invoices and any contract obligations before that board considers the bed-tax spending plan.
