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Town staff streamlines 2027 ATAX application; emphasizes clearer budgets and outreach
Summary
Town staff presented revisions to the 2027 accommodations‑tax (ATAX) grant application, removing bulky instructions from the form, separating tourism narrative from quantitative metrics, standardizing a budget template and increasing applicant outreach and workshops to reduce confusion and speed reimbursements.
Michelle, the staff lead on the ATAX review, presented the updated 2027 accommodations‑tax application and said the changes are administrative (not eligibility changes) and designed to improve clarity and efficiency. She said instructions were removed from the application form and moved onto the town website, the tourism narrative was separated from quantitative reporting, and a standardized Excel budget and a closeout report were added so applicants provide consistent documentation.
Michelle said the town held applicant workshops (July 7 and 9) and offered one‑on‑one meetings; staff also coordinated with the Chamber/DMO to help applicants with tourism metrics and surveys. She emphasized that documentation expectations (tourism surveys, zip‑code summaries, and evidence of engagement) are intended to improve evaluation and prevent duplicate funding of similar efforts.
On reimbursements, staff described a process change: once the town has sufficient approved documentation for an awarded item, it will release funding while outstanding supporting materials are submitted to avoid holding grants entirely until every piece of documentation is complete.
Committee members praised the new form and its measurement features (cost per nonresident attendee, clearer engagement metrics) and asked about waterfront erosion control eligibility; staff confirmed some applicants are applying under that category and that staff will watch for duplication with other programs. The ATAX application is live, committee onboarding completed, and applications are moving to preliminary review in August.
Staff asked for committee feedback and did not request formal approval today; they will present the final application and any needed policy changes during upcoming ATAC and council briefings.
