The Anacortes City Council on Dec. 8 approved Resolution 3191 awarding 2026 lodging-tax funds, including a $366,000 allocation identified as the city’s share of design work for the proposed Port City Event Center.

Councilmember Walters, who presented the lodging-tax-advisory-committee’s recommendations, told council the committee met three times and prioritized events that demonstrably generate overnight stays. “In addition, we recommended $366,000 for the design work — our share of the design work for the proposed Port City Event Center,” Walters said.

Council discussion focused on the difficulty of verifying bed-night impacts and the advisory committee’s reliance on hoteliers’ local knowledge. Walters said hoteliers on the committee reviewed records to identify which nights were fullest; the council acknowledged there are data gaps in applicant submissions but noted those businesses’ input is the best local source available.

Miss Moulton moved to approve Resolution 3191; Miss Hubick seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote. Council members voting yes included Mister Young, Mister Walters, Miss Cleland McGrath, Miss Moulton, Miss Yubick, Mister Fantini and Mister Young (vote recorded by Mister Franciak during roll call). The motion passed and the council directed staff to implement the awards spelled out in the resolution.

The award package presented to council listed recommended and requested amounts for event funding and a capital design allocation for the Port City Event Center. Staff noted council could select different applicants or refer the awards back to the lodging-tax advisory committee for reconsideration.

The council’s action moves the funding recommendations forward to the administrative steps necessary to distribute lodging-tax funds for 2026.