HomeMy WebLinkAboutInternal Operation Application Auditor 2024S COUNTY
Lodging Tax for Tourism-Related Operations
"lnternaI Application Only"
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Submission Deadline: October 6'h 615:OOpm
Kittitas Cou nty Commissioners
205 W 5th Avenue, Suite 108, Ellensburg, WA 98926
s09-962-7s08
Lodging Tax for Tourism-Related
lnternal Operations General lnformation
Kittitas County imposes a lodging tax assessed on the sale or charge made for furnishings of
lodging according to RCW 67.28.I8O and RCW 67.28.L8L. ln accordance with the tax and
Washington State law, a Lodging Tax Advisory Committee has also been established. The
committee's purpose is to advise and recommend to the Board of County Commissioners how
excise taxes on lodging should be allocated to support tourism which in turn generates revenue.
Uses According to Law:
RCW 67.28.1816 states the following
Lodging tax revenues under this chapter may be used, directly by any municipality or indirectly
through a convention and visitor bureau or destination marketing organization for supporting
the operations of tourism-related facilities owned or operated by a municipality.
Definitions included in state law which should be considered in anv application requesting
funding include:
1. Tourism means economic activity resulting from tourists, which may include sales of overnight lodging,
meals, tours, gifts, or souvenirs.
2. Tourism promotion means activities, operations, and expenditures designed to increase tourism,
including but not limited to advertising, publicizing, or otherwise distributing information for the
purpose of attracting and welcoming tourists; developing strategies to expand tourism; operating
tourism promotion agencies; and funding marketing or the operation of special events and festivals
d ated to attract tourists
Review Process:
Kittitas County's Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) will review all Kittitas County completed
applications. Qualifying applicants will be provided the opportunity to present their projects to
the LTAC and answer questions. The LTAC will submit their recommendations to the Board of
County Commissioners (BOCC) who have final approval authority for the list of recommendations.
Prior to making a final decision, the BOCC will publicly deliberate on the recommendations
received from the LTAC. Applicants may also be requested to present their projects to the BOCC
and answer questions.
3. Tourism-related facility means real or tangible personal property with a usable life of three or more
years, or constructed with volunteer labor that is: (a) (i) owned by a public entity; (ii) owned by a
nonprofit organization described under section 501 (c) (3) ofthe federal internal revenue code of 1986,
as amended; or (iii) owned by a nonprofit organization described under section 501 (c) (6) of the federal
internal revenue code of 1986, as amended; a business organization, destination marketing
organizations, main street organization, lodging association, or chamber of commerce; and (b) used to
support tourism, performing arts, or to accommodate tourist activities.
SUBMITTAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR INTERNAL APPLICATION
Please return ONE COPY of the entire original application and answers to narrative questions to:
Kittitas Cou nty Commissioners
Attn: lnternal Lodging Tax Grant Application
205 West 5th, Suite L08, Ellensburg, WA 98926
Appli cations must be received no later than 5:00 PM. October 6th-of each vear (if October Sthth falls on
a weekend. the application will be due on the Mondav immediatelv followingl and must be postmarked
accordinglv.
lncomplete and/or late applications will not be considered. Applications may not be changed or
amended by the applicant after the deadline for submission
Schedule:
. Application deadline
. Oral presentations of proposals to LTAC
. LTAC submits to BOCC
. BOCC Deliberation and Decision
r Applicant Award Notification
Proiect Management:
The Board of County Commissioners will approve the application based upon the recommendation of
the LTAC. The Board will approve by Resolution the amount authorized.
All funds awarded under this program will be available in the form of a direct charge to the Lodging tax
budget for the Fiscal year, January through December.
All funds awarded for supporting the operations of county-owned tourism-related facilities will be
available for reimbursement until January 15 of the next year. lf January 15, falls on a weekend the
requests must be submitted on the Monday immediately following. Any unexpended funds will be
returned to the Lodging Tax account and made available for re-appropriation,
All requests for reimbursement shall be made to the Kittitas County Auditor's office at the following
address:
Kittitas Cou nty Auditor
Attn: Lodging Tax Grant Funds Reimbursement
205 w 5th, Suite 105
Ellensburg, WA 98926
For specific information and requirements regarding the reimbursement process, please contact the
Auditor's office at 509-962-7502.
October 6th
no later than October LLth
no later than October 3l-st,
no later than November 7th
November 8th
Applicant Categories and Eligibilitv:
ra m tax are f ns.
APPLICATION FOR LODGING TAX FOR INTERNAL TOURISM-
RELATED OPERATIONS
Applicant Information - operations
Application for FiscalYear 2024
Enter date: i.e. Jan 1
Name of Department: County Auditor
Mailing Address:205 W 5th Ave Suite 105
Ellensburg, WA 98926
Contact Person and Title:B t and Finance Di
Phone:509-962-7soz
Email:brian.carlson @co.wa.us
Project Title Countv Administration
Project Location Courthouse
Funding Request:Slos 363
Application Requirements
X l-. The project qualifies for lodging tax funds is supporting the operations of
tourism-related facilities owned or operated by Kittitas County.
X 2. A completed project budget is included in the application (if applicable).
Applicant Certification: Please sign below in agreement with statement of certification.
Certification is hereby given that the information provided is accurate and the applicable
attachments are complete and included as part of the application package.
I further certify that the plication thresholds are m time of application.
Sign re of Official Representative
att
Date
Tou rism-Related Facil ity Operatio na I Fu nd i ng Na rrative
(Municipality Applications Only)
For the Year 2024
1. Operational Spending: Please explain your request for operational funding and how it is
directly related to supporting the operations of a tourism-related facility owned or operated by
a municipality or public facilities district.
The operational spending for the Board of County Commissioner's office staff and Auditor's
office staff is to support the Lodging Tax Committee and work with the Consolidated
Lodging Tax Committee, the preparation and accounting of the contract approved by the
Committees and the preparation of the yearling Lodging Tax Reporting for JLARC and
financial reporting of the Lodging Tax funds.
2. Sustainability Strategy: Please describe your strategy for long-term operational
sustainability. lnclude any specific progress toward this goal.
A sustainability strategy is not applicable as this is support for the Lodging Tax
committees
3. Applicant Certification: Please sign below in agreement with statement of certification.
Certification is hereby given that the information provided is accurate and the applicable
attachments are complete and included as part of the application package.
I further certify that the application thresholds are met at the time of application.
Sign atu re of Official Re presen tative
fhe 2024 Operations budget for Lodging Tax funding includes the following:
Description Budget
Salary, Benefit and Cost Allocation 9,030
Operational costs (copies, postage)300
Com puter su bscriptions/softwa re 1,000
Bond Payment (Principle and interest)95,033
105,363