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Port Orchard council approves 2026 lodging-tax allocations amid questions over overlap and potential conflicts
Summary
The council adopted the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee's 2026 recommendations (total $130,000) after discussion about Visit Kitsap receiving $0 and concerns raised about potential overlap and an apparent connection between Love Kitsap and a local public information contractor.
The Port Orchard City Council voted Jan. 13 to adopt the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee's recommendations for 2026 allocations totaling $130,000 for tourism-related event and marketing programs.
Clerk staff (Miss Wallace) presented LTAC's recommended awards, including reduced allocations for several applicants and a recommendation of $0 for Visit Kitsap. The committee recommended awards to Fathoms of Fun ($35,000 recommended of $50,500 requested), Port Orchard Waterfront Alliance ($31,000 of $31,729 requested), Love Kitsap ($32,000 of $51,000 requested), South Kitsap Chamber (reduced award), and other local event applicants.
During deliberations Councilmember Dedmon raised a potential conflict, saying she believed Love Kitsap is “owned and or operated by mister Josh Johnson” and noting Mr. Johnson previously contracted with the city as a public information contractor; she asked whether that overlap risks a gift-of-public-funds issue. The mayor and other council members responded that LTAC's process is reimbursement-based and that applications were reviewed by the committee; staff explained that funds are reimbursed after work is completed and that the committee's unanimous recommendation would not have changed with adjustments to committee membership.
Councilors also asked for clearer documentation on who would deliver marketing services, whether awards duplicate services already paid for by other applicants, and how the committee verified eligibility. One councilor noted accessibility challenges when reviewing the committee's online materials. The council then approved the committee's recommendations by voice vote with one recorded opposition.
The action finalizes LTAC's allocations for 2026. Staff said future committee appointments will receive more rigorous checks on eligibility and that staff will continue to monitor program overlap and reimbursements.
