Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tourism Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sunnyside approves 2026 lodging‑tax awards; some groups asked to reapply
Summary
The City approved LTAC recommendations for FY2026 tourism promotion funding, including $30,000 for Cinco de Mayo, $15,000 for Sunnyside Ale Fest and $20,000 for Sunshine Days; the Miss Sunnyside committee received no award pending application clarification on eligible uses.
Sunnyside City Council approved Lodging Tax Advisory Committee funding recommendations for tourism promotion projects in 2026 at its Dec. 8 meeting.
The LTAC slate included awards and recommended amounts such as $30,000 for the Cinco de Mayo Festival, $15,000 for Sunnyside Ale Fest, $20,000 for Sunshine Days and Parade, $5,000 for the Lighted Farm Implement Parade, $5,000 for a new American Hill Climb event, $10,000 for Veterans Plaza, and $1,500 for Show and Shine. Committee members noted lodging‑tax revenues are down from prior years, which constrained total awards.
LTAC zeroed out some applications — notably the Miss Sunnyside committee — because the submitted application proposed using lodging‑tax funds for scholarships, an ineligible expense under lodging‑tax rules. Council encouraged the committee to reopen the application period or allow the group to reapply with eligible uses (for example, promotion and visitor attraction tied to float costs), and several councilors signaled support for helping the group resubmit an eligible proposal.
Council approved the overall LTAC award resolution by roll call; staff will execute agreements with each organization and include award conditions as required.
