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Home My WebLink Aboutres2025-037Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE 311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010 Agenda Bill Master Report File Number: AB2025-770 File ID: AB2025-770 Version: 1 Status: Approved File Created: 10/24/2025 Entered by: JLogan@co.whatcom.wa.us Department: County Executive's File Type: Resolution Office Assigned to: Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee Final Action: 11/05/2025 Agenda Date: 11/05/2025 Enactment#: RES 2025-037 Related Files: Primary Contact Email: jlogan(Jco.whatcom.wa.us TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM: Resolution approving the 2026 recommended convention center allocations for tourism -related facilities and activities as defined through RCW 67.28.1816 SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE: See attachments HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To: 11/05/2025 Council Finance and Administrative RECOMMENDED FOR Services Committee APPROVAL Aye: 3 Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan Nay: 0 11/05/2025 Council APPROVED Aye: 7 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 Attachments: Staff Memo, Proposed Resolution, Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - October 13, 2025, Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - October 15, 2025 Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 111612025 Agenda Bill Master Report Continued (AB2025-770) Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 111612025 PROPOSED BY: EXECUTIVE INTRODUCED: NOVEMBER 5, 2025 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-037 APPROVING THE 2026 RECOMMENDED CONVENTION CENTER ALLOCATIONS FOR TOURISM -RELATED FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES AS DEFINED THROUGH RCW 67.28.1816 WHEREAS, on October 13, 2025 and October 15, 2025, the Whatcom County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) held public meetings to review 2026 funding applications for use of Convention Center Funds; and WHEREAS, the LTAC reviewed thirty-one (31) applications totaling $3,704,145 and recommends funding for twenty-two (22) eligible applications in the amount of $3,568,390 as further detailed in Attachment A; and WHEREAS, the 2026 call for applicants emphasized five funding priorities which include: (1) funding the primary Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism, (2) supporting chambers that have dedicated staff to promote local tourism and provide visitor services, (3) funding organizations that offer broad, year- round services to visitors and the community, (4) allocating funds for infrastructure enhancements that support tourism, and (5) supporting festivals and events hosted in unincorporated areas that have a significant impact on attracting overnight visitors; and WHEREAS, the twenty-two (22) funding recommendations totaling $3,568,390 were determined based on the ability to promote and serve tourism activities in Whatcom County as defined in RCW 67.28 and alignment with established LTAC funding priorities; 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 or activity sponsored by the Convention Center Fund; and WHEREAS, the 2026 Convention Center Fund revenue is projected at $1,600,000 and the fund has sufficient balance to support these allocations; and WHEREAS, this funding cycle includes significant capital infrastructure investments totaling $2,384,890 to support long-term tourism development including restroom improvements at Glacier ($475,750), Phase I construction of Birch Bay Beach Park ($1,800,000), and Northwest Field renovations ($109,140). NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that that the Whatcom County Council hereby authorizes the County Administration to allocate $3,568,390 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 5th day of November , 2025 �s�t�r9t�S��c ATg�^ ATTEST: U CC)_( TY CathyaHalkci„ Q)e8W/bMK8':Qp0hcil o ® �0 � t/!° APPROVED.AS TO�F6M,E_. Christopher Quinn i b/27b2025 Civil Deputy Prosecutor WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON J Kaylee alloway, Council Chai Attachment A LUug'IF16 1 dX rums - zuzo Requesting Agency 2026 Requests Committee Approved Tourism Promotion Applications Bellingham/Whatcom Co. Tourism $250,000 $250,000 Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce - $30,000 $30,000 -- -- -- -- -- Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce - VIC & Porta-Potties - -- -- -- - -- -- $240,000 -- ----- -- $240,000 Blaine Chamber of Commerce - Blaine Visitor Center (new applicant) $30,000 Not Funded Mt. Baker Chamber of Commerce - Mt. Baker Visitor Center $256,000 $266,000 Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce - Point Roberts Tourism Project $30,000 $30,000 Sea to Sky Events - Sea to Sky Events (DMC Launch) (new applicant) $5,25o Not Funded Whatcom County Parks Guide/Brochure $6,000 $6,000 Whatcom County Parks Glacier Restroom Maintenance & Operations $36,000 $36,000 Events and Festival Applications Allied Arts - Cultural Connections 2026 $10,000 $10,000 Bellingham Bay Swim Team & Whatcome Rangers - Bellingham Bay Marathon -- - -- - - - - - - -- - -- - (new applicant) -- -- --- $32,500 ---- --- $10,000 - - --- -- Bellingham Sea Feast - Bellingham SeaFeast Festival $20,000 $20,000 Cascade Mountain Ascents - Peaks and Possibilities: Outdoor Tourism Expansion - - - ---- $37,800 $15,000 -- ---. -- - - --- - CASCADIA International Women's Film Festival - - - ---- - -- - $10,000 --- -- $10,000 Ferndale Community Services - Ferndale Pride Celebration (new applicant) $5,000 Not funded Jansen Art Center - "Lens Arts at The J: Come and Stay!" $15,000 Notfunded - - - - - - - North Cascades Bluegrass Festival - North Cascades Bluegrass Festival - - - - - - - - - - ----- -- - -- ---- ---- - - - - -- $35,500 -- - ------ -- $35,500 - Photo Palooza Events -Photo Palooza PNW (new applicant) -- $25,000 - - - Notfunded Quest Races- Galbraith Supreme (new applicant) $5,000 Notfunded Ragnar Events, LLC - Ragnar Relay Northwest Passage (new applicant) $25,977 $15,000 Scottish Dance Society - Bellingham Scottish Gathering - ... --- - -- -- -- - --- --- - $25,000 - -- .. - $25,000 -- - - - Strings & Things LLC - Strings & Things International Music Festival $45,000 $30,000 Sustainable Connections - Eat, Drink, and Explore Whatcom County: Driving Tourism Throug -- - - - --- -- - - -- - -- - ---- - ---- -- $45,000 --- - --- - $45,000 ---- - Warrior Service USA - Warrior Service Blaine Veterans Appreciation Weekend -- -- - - - -- -- (new applicant) $30,000 --- Not funded --- - -- -- --- -- - Whatcom Events- Whatcom Events (Portfolio) - - - --- -- - - $50,000 ------ $50,000 Whatcom Frightmare - Whatcom Frightmare Haunted House Fundraiser --- - - -- -- - - - - - --- ---- --- - -- (new applicant) ----- ---- $9,228 -- --- --- Notfunded -- ---.. - Wings Over Water Northwest - 2026 Wings Over Water NW Birding Festival $10,000 $10,000 Capital Project Applications Ferndale Youth Sports - Northwest Field Renovations (ORIGINAL ASK) $59,140 $59,140 **FYS > PENDING ADDITIONAL/AMENDED APPLICATION (ADDITIONAL ASK SET ASIDE)** (see 10/15 minutes) $50,000 $50,000 Whatcom County Parks & Rec Glacier Restroom Improvements Project $475,7SO $475,750 - - - -- ---------- Whatcom --- - County Parks & Rec Birch Bay Beach Park - (Bathrooms) Phase I Construction $1 800,000 $1,800,000 -- - - - - -- -- -- - - - Captial Projects SUBTOTAL $2,384,890 $2,384,890