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Residents and council spar over forming a Tourism Development Committee; resolution tabled
Summary
Council tabled a resolution to create a Tourism Development Committee after public commenters urged a local advisory approach; residents said the council should approve tourism fund uses and one speaker pledged to submit a Wayfinding Sign Project for funding.
Council on Feb. 4, 2026, considered a resolution to establish a Tourism Development Committee to approve use of local tourism funds but the motion to approve was withdrawn and the item was tabled.
During the public-comment period several residents pressed the council to move quickly on tourism efforts. Ruthann Tobiason said she will "submit information at next Council Meeting for tourism funds for the Wayfinding Sign Project." Nel Kovach urged an advisory-style committee similar to the city's prior structure and said the council, which oversees the city budget, should approve tourism funding rather than delegate sole approval to a new committee.
Chamber representative Nels Borg referenced RCW 67.28.1817 and discussed exploring Lodging Tax Advisory Committee models used in Moses Lake and Ephrata; he also said the Lantern Festival packet had been reviewed by Fire, Police and Public Works. Councilmembers chose to table Resolution 2026-1034 rather than vote to establish the committee, with no timetable set for when the item will return to the agenda.
