Community and Economic Development Committee

The committee addressed lodging tax grant allocations with minimal discussion, reflecting confidence in the LTAC vetting process. Community & Economic Development Manager Tara Sundin explained the state requirement for City Council ratification of LTAC recommendations, emphasizing that the council maintains authority to approve or reject the advisory committee's funding suggestions. The funding structure reveals different approaches to event development. Artist Home's music festival enters as a "signature event" with potential three-…

**Tara Sundin, Community & Economic Development Manager:** Presented the LTAC recommendations as straightforward, emphasizing the council's decision-making authority while noting that event details remain in development stages. **Committee Members:** All three members—Cott…

**Tara Sundin, on the approval process:** "This is a pretty straightforward item. We this is kind of a opportunity where it is the opportunity for the City Council to ensure that you indeed want to fund these events." **Tara Sundin, on state requirements:** "The state requires the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee provides a recommendation to you. And then the council can either elect to fund the activities or not fund the activities." **Tara Sundin, on funding st…

After this meeting, the City of Bellingham moved closer to funding two new tourism-generating events with $150,000 in lodging tax revenue. Artist Home gained potential three-year signature event status for their downtown mu…

### Meeting Overview The Community and Economic Development Committee met on February 24th, 2025, with Committee Chair Jace Cotton presiding. The committee approved lodging tax funding recommendations for two new events: a downtown music festival and a softball tournament, both planned for spring 2026. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC):** A state-mandated committee that reviews proposals and makes recommendations for how lodging tax revenue should be spent on tourism-promoting activities and events. **Signature Event:** A multi-year funding category for major events that can draw visitors to Bellingham, with successful events receiving up to three years of funding. **Lodging Tax:** A tax collected on hotel and other overnight accommodation stays, with proceeds designated for tourism promotion and visitor services. **Artist Home:** A local organization that was awarded funding to produce a downtown music festival featuring existing venues. **All Night Ball:** A proposed softball tournament to be organized by the Bellingham Bells baseball team. **Bill 2447:** The agenda item number for the lodging tax grant recommendations under consideration. **Committee of the Whole vs. Standing Committee:** This was a standing committee meeting, focused on one policy area, rather than the full council or committee of the whole. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Jace Cotton | Committee Chair, At-Large Council Member | | Daniel Hammill | Committee Member, Third Ward (attended remotely) | | Edwin H. "Skip" Williams | Committee Member, Fourth Ward | | Tara Sundin | Community and Economic Development Manager | ### Background Context Bellingham uses lodging tax revenue to fund events and activities that promote touris…