PORT ANGELES — The city of Port Angeles is seeking applicants to serve on the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee.
The influential panel makes recommendations to the City Council on activities or facilities to be funded with lodging excise tax revenue.
It is composed of one City Council member, two representatives who collect lodging tax, two who receive lodging tax and three members-at-large who reside in Port Angeles or own a business in the city.
LTAC members serve as volunteers for one-year terms. Meetings are held on an as-needed basis.
Port Angeles Mayor Sissi Bruch, the council representative on the committee, said anyone with an interest in serving is encouraged to apply.
To apply, download an application and questionnaire at www.tinyurl.com/PDN-LTACapplication or pick one up from the City Manager’s Office in City Hall, 321 E. Fifth St.
Applications are due by June 1.
For information, contact City Clerk Jennifer Veneklasen at 360-417-4634 or by email at jvenekla@cityofpa.us.
Lodging tax revenue supports marketing efforts or capital projects that put “heads in beds” by encouraging overnight stays for those traveling at least 50 miles, city officials have said.
The lodging tax fund is supported by a 4 percent consumer tax on stays at Port Angeles lodging establishments. The tax is taken as a credit against the 6.5 percent state sales tax.
Based on LTAC recommendations, the City Council last November approved $827,000 in lodging tax spending for 2018.
Here is a list of the approved lodging tax spending (with requests in parenthesis):
• $230,000 for marketing ($257,985 requested).
• $100,000 for Civic Field improvements ($150,000).
• $100,000 for directional information signs, or wayfinding ($100,000).
• $85,000 for events ($70,000).
• $74,600 for the Port Angeles Visitors Center ($74,600).
• $72,000 for recreation and sports fields ($80,000).
• $50,000 for BMX track development ($51,391).
• $38,000 for city priority setting ($38,000).
• $30,000 for the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center ($50,000).
• $26,000 for the tourism commission ($28,000).
• $19,900 for debt service transfer ($19,900).
• $1,500 for contingency ($1,500).
