HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2023-039Whatcom County
Agenda Bill Report
File Number: AB2023-669
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360) 778-5010
File ID: AB2023-669 Version: 1 Status: Approved
File Created: 10/05/2023 Entered by: THelms@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: County Executive's File Type: Resolution
Office
Assigned to: Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee Final Action: 10/24/2023
Agenda Date: 10/24/2023 Enactment #: RES 2023-039
Related Files:
Primary Contact Email: Tschroed@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Resolution approving the 2024 recommended convention center allocations for tourism -related
facilities and activities as defined through RCW 67.28.1816
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
See attached
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To:
10/24/2023 Council Finance and Administrative RECOMMENDED FOR
Services Committee APPROVAL
Aye: 2 Donovan, and Kershner
Nay: 1 Frazey
10/24/2023 Council APPROVED
Aye: 5 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 2 Elenbaas, and Frazey
Attachments: Proposed Resolution
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 1012512023
PROPOSED BY: Executive
RESOLUTION NO. 2023 - 039
APPROVING THE 2024 RECOMMENDED CONVENTION CENTER
ALLOCATIONS FOR TOURISM -RELATED FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES
AS DEFINED THROUGH RCW 67.28.1816
WHEREAS on September 27, 2023, the Whatcom County Lodging Tax
Advisory Committee (LTAC) held a public meeting to consider 2024 funding for use of
Convention Center Funds; and
WHEREAS, of the twenty-three applications submitted, the LTAC
recommends funding for all twenty-three eligible applicants in the amount of $946,150
and further detailed in attachment A; and
WHEREAS, the LTAC further recommends a contingency in the amount
of $150,000 to be used in the event eligible applicants seek funding for tourism programs
later in the year; and
WHEREAS, the 2024 funding recommendations totaling $1,096,150
were determined based on the ability to promote and serve tourism activities in Whatcom
County as defined in RCW 67.28; and
WHEREAS, all funding recipients must submit a report to the County
describing the actual number of people traveling for business or pleasure on a trip as well
as describing the results of the event of activity sponsored by the Convention Center
Fund; and
WHEREAS, in addition to the above referenced funding allocations
directed to Chamber operations, events and festivals the LTAC further supports and
recommends special project funding in the amount of $565,775 for the delayed
Wayfnding project developed by MERJE Design and facilitated by Bellingham
Whatcom Tourism; and
Convention Center Funding 2024 Page 1
WHEREAS, the LTAC will work with Bellingham Whatcom County
Tourism to develop a strategic plan for future Lodging Tax Fund allocations as well
identifying incremental and achievable steps to launch the Wayfinding project and other
tourism related facilities; and
WHEREAS, the 2024 Convention Center Fund revenue is projected at
$1,500.000 and the 2024 fund balance is projected to be $ 5,082,951; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Whatcom County Council hereby
authorizes the County Administration to allocate $1,661,925 from the Lodging Tax Fund
for the purposes of tourism related activities as recommended by the Lodging Tax
Advisory Committee and detailed in attachment A.
APPROVED this 24th day of October , 2023.
�� WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
AT'S' 6., ,� 3 WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
v
C
Dana Bro'Un''Davis;mCoUinQiIyCl6rk Barr hanan, C ncil Chair
APPROV8'D .as,to form:
Christopher Quinn per email 10/5/2023
Civil Deputy Prosecutor
Convention Center Funding 2024 Page 2
Attachment "A"
2024 Whatcom County Lodging Tax Committee Recommendations
Requesting Agency
2024
Requests
Committee
Approved
Chamber VIC or Tourism Bureau
Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce
$25,000
$25,000
Bellin ham/Whatcom Co. Tourism,- operations
$200,000
$200,000
Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce - VIC + ternrestrooms
$136,000
$136,000
Mt. Baker Foothills Chamber/Visitor Center
$146,000
$146,000
Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce
$18,900
$18,900
Chambers& TourismSUBTOTAL'
$525,900
$525,900
Whatcom Count Parks Glacier Restrooms cc: 14131
$19,500
$19,500
Whatcom Count Parks Guide cc: 14131
$6,500
$6,500
Allied Arts
$15,000
$15,000
Bellingham Festival of Music
$10,000
$10,000
Bellingham Symphony Orchestra
$5,000
$5,000
Cascadia Film Festival
$10,000
$10,000
Downtown Sounds New
$30,000
$30,000
Jansen Art Center New
$10,000
$10,000
Noisy Waters Mural Festival New
$20,900
$20,900
NW Tune UP
$50,000
$50,000
Parks Foundation North Cascades Blue rasss Festival
$25,000
$25,000
Port of Bellingham - Art Installation New
$75,000
$75,000
Scottish Dance Society
$15,500
$15,500
Seafeast
$30,000
$30,000
Sumas Historical Museum New
$7,850
$7,850
Sustainable Connections
$40,000
$40,000
Whatcom Events
$35,000
$35,000
Whatcom Museum Foundation New
$15,000
$15,000
Event and Festivals SUBTOTAL
$420,250
$420,250
TOTAL ANNUAL FUNDING REQUESTS
$946,150
$946,150
20% Contingency used for mid -year allocations
$150,000
TOTAL ANNUAL FUNDING REQUESTS w/Contingency
$946,150
$1,096,150
Special Project Request
WC Portion of Multi -jurisdictional Wa findin Project
$565,775
$565,775
PROPOSED EXPENDITURE BUDGET
$1,511,925
$1,661,925
Convention Center Funding 2024 Page 3