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Clallam County approves $181,000 lodging‑tax emergency to cover second‑round awards after public questions
Summary
The Clallam County Board of Commissioners adopted a debatable budget emergency authorizing $181,000 from the hotel‑motel (lodging) tax fund to cover second‑round awardees after a public hearing that raised questions about award math and whether some events promote lodging at tribal properties that do not remit county lodging tax.
The Clallam County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously May 26 to adopt a debatable budget emergency allowing a $181,000 supplemental transfer from the county’s non‑departmental hotel‑motel tax fund to cover awards granted in a second round of lodging‑tax applications.
County staff told the board the lodging‑tax advisory committee recommended supplemental awards after the initial allocations, and that $101,000 could be covered from an unanticipated‑projects placeholder; the $181,000 represents additional unbudgeted spend needed to fund the remaining awards. “A total of $181,000 of additional unbudgeted spend from this fund to fund the following awards,” staff said, listing recipients and amounts, including $50,000 for the Port Angeles Waterfront District and $90,000 for Parks, Fair and Facilities.
During the public hearing multiple residents and business owners questioned whether the committee awarded more in grants than available funds and asked how recipients would generate the lodging stays the tax is intended to support. One lodging‑owner said the practice of promoting stays at tribal properties that do not remit county lodging tax creates an unfair competitive burden: “They do not pay into lodging tax … It’s not fair,” said Jeff Jones, who operates a vacation rental in Sequim.
Commissioners explained the county’s two‑round LTAC process, noting the fund holds a reserve and that staff estimated collections conservatively when setting the budget. “All of the money that we’re spending has already been collected,” staff explained, adding the reserve has grown in recent years. The board also emphasized the advisory committee’s role in vetting applications for their ability to bring “heads and beds” to the county.
After questions and discussion the board member who moved the resolution said, “I will move to approve a resolution adopting a debatable budget emergency in the non‑departmental hotel‑motel tax budget line in the amount of $181,000,” and the board approved the motion by voice vote.
Next steps: the county will allocate the supplemental awards as described; LTAC recipients must later report how the funds were spent and whether the projects met goals established by the advisory committee.
