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HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2024-05277 ' Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE y 311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360)778-5010 • Agenda Bill Master Report File Number: AB2024-769 File ID: AB2024-769 Version: 1 Status: Approved File Created: 11/06/2024 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: 11/19/2024 Agenda Date: 11/19/2024 Enactment#: RES 2024-052 Related Files: Primary Contact Email: KSchottb@co.whatcom.wa.us TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM: Resolution approving the 2025 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: 11/19/2024 Council Finance and Administrative RECOMMENDED TO HOLD Services Committee IN COMMITTEE Aye: 2 Byrd, and Donovan Nay: 0 Absent: 1 Galloway 11/19/2024 Council APPROVED Aye: 7 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler N ay: 0 Attachments: Proposed Resolution Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 1112112024 PROPOSED BY: Executive RESOLUTION NO. 2024-052 APPROVING THE 2025 RECOMMENDED CONVENTION CENTER ALLOCATIONS FOR TOURISM -RELATED FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES AS DEFINED THROUGH RCW 67.28.1816 WHEREAS on November 4, 2024, the Whatcom County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) held a public meeting to review 2025 funding applications for use of Convention Center Funds; and WHEREAS, of the twenty-five applications submitted, the LTAC recommends funding for eighteen eligible applicants in the amount of $1,045,700 and further detailed in attachment A; and WHEREAS, the 2025 call for applicants emphasized three funding priorities which included; (1) tourism agency, chamber visitor center operations, (2) entities proving Whatcom County (year-round) visitor services and (3) festivals/events hosted in Whatcom County (unincorporated); and WHEREAS, the eighteen funding recommendations totaling $1,045,700 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, the 2025 Convention Center Fund revenue is projected at $1,600,000 and the 2025 fund balance is projected to be $5,809,249; and Convention Center Funding 2025 Page 1 WHEREAS, the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee is developing a strategic plan for the purpose of establishing formal funding priorities which will encourage and benefit Whatcom County tourism including eligible capital projects; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Whatcom County Council hereby authorizes the County Administration to allocate $1,045,700 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. APPROV.I�I)„this 19th day of y���t4rf<ttt�,, 0 ATTif O���t CathyHalkar,.V1�J'k APPROVED as to form: Brandon Waldron per email 11/7/2024 Civil Deputy Prosecutor November .2024. WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA�HINGTON I Chair Convention Center Funding 2025 Page 2 ATTACHMENT `A' CONVENTION CENTER - HOTEL/MOTEL TAX FUNDS - 2025 2025 Requestin Chamber VIC or Tourism Bureau Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce $30,000 Bellingham/Whatcom Co. Tourism - operations $250,000 Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce - VIC + temp restrooms $230,000 Mt. Baker Foothills Chamber/Visitor Center $226,000 Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce $26,000 Chambers & Tourism SUBTOTAL $762,000 Whatcom County Parks Glacier Restrooms cc: 14131 $34,500 Whatcom County Parks Guide cc: 14131 $6,500 Allied Arts $17,000 Be]lin ham Bells (New) $35,000 BIAWC - Ribs & Roofs BBQ Competition (New) $20,000 BB Polar Plunge 2026 $25,000 Birch Bay Waterslides (New) $90,000 Cascade Mtn Ascents (New) $44,957 Cascadia Film Festival $12,000 Jansen Art Center $32,275 NW Tune UP $50,000 Parks Foundation North Cascades Blue rasss Festival $30,000 Scottish Dance Society $18,000 Seafeast $30,000 Strings & Things Pt. Roberts Int'I Music Festival (New) $30,000 Sustainable Connections $45,000 Upfront Theater New $15,473 Whatcom Events $40,000 Wings Over Water NW Birding Festival (New) $10,000 Event and Festivals SUBTOTAL $585,705 TOTAL ANNUAL FUNDING REQUESTS $1,347,705 Convention Center Funding 2025 Page 3