Pullman lodging-tax committee proposes annual grant cycle; council briefed on $173,600 in recommended awards

Chair Pat Wright presented the lodging tax advisory commission’s role and recent activity to the Pullman City Council on June 30, explaining what the city’s 4% lodging tax can fund and recommending procedural changes to the discretionary-grant process.

Wright said Pullman’s 4% hotel-motel (lodging) tax applies to short-term lodging stays of up to 30 days (including short-term rentals and RV lodging) and, under state law (RCW 67.28.18xx), revenues may be used for tourism marketing, promotion of special events, and capital or operating expenditures for tourism-related facilities. “In Pullman, we have a 4% hotel motel tax,” Wright said, adding that the commission uses a mix of discretionary grants, standing event budgets (for large recurring events such as Fourth of July and Lentil Festival) and contracts for tourism services.

Wright described LTAC’s structure in Pullman: a commission composed of hospitality representatives, grant recipients and elected officials (terms staggered under local code), and said the Pullman Chamber of Commerce holds the city’s professional services agreement for tourism promotion under a three‑year RFP cycle.

On grant activity, Wright reported the commission has received nine applications this year and recommended eight to council; the recommended awards total $173,600 from $329,000 requested. Wright said most grants are reimbursement‑based and that historically the commission has not expended every budgeted dollar. She proposed moving to a single annual call for discretionary applications (for example, an October 31 deadline for the next year) so applicants could present in a consolidated review and LTAC could better evaluate and prioritize requests.

Council members asked about council authority after LTAC recommendations. Wright said council can request changes to grant recommendations but that state law establishes LTAC’s advisory role and a 45‑day waiting period applies if council sends a recommendation back for reconsideration. She encouraged council feedback on strategic goals that should guide LTAC’s priorities.

Wright also explained application logistics and where to find forms on the city website (search 'lodging tax' or 'ELAC'); she noted the committee’s intent to reserve some funds for off‑cycle needs even if it moves to an annual application cycle.

The council approved the meeting’s consent agenda, which included a lodging-tax grant authorization of up to $12,500 to the Pacific Northwest Golf Association for the 124th Pacific Northwest Men’s Amateur Championship; no separate LTAC vote was taken during the presentation.