Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
About the Program
Some activities to promote tourism are funded through a tax on lodging at hotels, motels, inns, bed and breakfasts, camps and other lodging facilities in which guests stay for a short time.
The funding is allocated to activities that promote tourism in unincorporated Pierce County and in the cities and towns of:
- Bonney Lake
- Buckley
- Carbonado
- Dupont
- Edgewood
- Fircrest
- Milton
- Orting
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- Roy
- Ruston
- South Prairie
- Steilacoom
- Sumner
- University Place
- Wilkeson
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Eligibility
Activities which will be considered for funding include, but are not limited to, those that increase tourism by:
- Advertising, publicizing and distributing information for the purpose of attracting and welcoming tourists
- Developing strategies to expand tourism
- Operate tourism promotional agencies
- Fund and market events and festivals
- Construct / renovate tourism related facilities in which Pierce County retains an ownership interest
The expected outcome of such activities would be to increase economic activity during the funding year and subsequent years by increasing the number of guests lodged in the area, by providing additional meals and sales of souvenirs and gifts and by increasing the availability and accessibility of tourism related facilities.
Application Process
Application Form for 2014 funding.
The application process takes place early in the year, with applications for funding in 2014 due by 4:30 pm, Friday, April 5, 2013.
- Applications may be submitted by any organization, group, business or persons interested in promoting tourism in the eligible areas noted above.
- Applications are not accepted online.
- Application workshops are required for applicants that did not receive funding in the previous cycle and highly recommended for all applicants. Workshops will be held at the Pierce County Library, located at 3005 112th Street East in Tacoma, on:
- Thursday, March 7, 2:00 pm
- Thursday, March 14, 2:00 pm
- Selected applicants will be requested to provide an oral presentation to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC).
- Committee recommendations are then completed and submitted to the County Executive and County Council by May 31 to be included in the following year's budget.
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
The 12 members of the LTAC are appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the Pierce County Council to recommend use of the annual allocation of funds and to advise the county on tourism activities.
The membership includes:
- One County Council Member (who serves as chair)
- One representative of the participating cities and towns
- Four members who are associated with the lodging industry
- Four members who are users of lodging taxes
- Two members at-large who are not associated with the lodging industry or users of the tax
We are currently seeking members and encourage you to apply. If you would like to serve on the committee, please complete a
Membership Application.
2013 Meeting Schedule
The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee meets at 2 p.m. on:
- Wednesday, April 24
- Wednesday, May 15
The meeting on May 15 will consist of applicant presentations, final review and funding recommendations. All meetings are open to the public and are held at the Pierce County Library, located at 3005 112th Street East in Tacoma.
Funding Awards & Recommendations