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Council approves lodging‑tax grants; debate over Orca Running and Sea Discovery support
Summary
Council approved the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee's 2025 funding recommendations (roughly $641,000 total) after extended discussion about Western Washington University's Sea Discovery Center match and a $1,000 recommendation for for‑profit Orca Running; council asked LTAC to consider evidence of tourism nexus for for‑profits.
The Poulsbo City Council moved to approve the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee’s recommended awards for the 2025 tourism grant cycle after a detailed staff presentation and public questions. Jeff (S18) and LTAC chair Council member Stern (S6) summarized that the committee had reviewed applications, established a reserve policy and proposed awards which, according to staff, would draw roughly $262,000 from LTAC reserves this year to reach total recommended distributions near $641,000.
Council members asked detailed questions about Western Washington University’s Sea Discovery Center request: Holly Hill (S12) explained that $25,000 of matching funds is already committed and that a separate replacement project (tanks/pumps) has a contract near $300,000; she said LTAC dollars could not be used for capital purchases and that "LTAC dollars cannot be used for capital expenditures". Council sought assurance that operating dollars would be reimbursed based on receipts and that capital work would be funded separately.
Another focus was a $1,000 recommended award for Orca Running, a for‑profit race organizer. Some council members objected to awarding public lodging‑tax funds to an outside for‑profit that earns substantial race revenue; others argued a small award could be used to improve data collection (nexus) and encourage stronger future applications. Council agreed to approve the full LTAC package while asking Stern to relay concerns back to the committee about the Orca Running item and to request better tourism‑nexus documentation for future for‑profit requests.
The motion to accept LTAC’s recommendations carried on voice/roll call.
