HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/25/2026 A9
AGENDA BILL
CITY OF BREMERTON
A9
CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:Study SessionDate: February 25, 2026
2026Lodging Tax Advisory Committee COUNCIL MEETING Date: N/A
Funding Recommendations
Department: City Council
Presenter: Jane Rebelowski
LTAC Chair
Phone: (360) 473-5280
SUMMARY:
The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee(LTAC) received20 eligible requestsfor fundingtotaling
$1,363,885.Direction provided by City Council when considering these requests included support of
long-time community events, kick-starting new events, tourism-based organizations and venues, and
municipal projects. Also, criteria provided by the City Councilwhen evaluating the requestsincluded
consideration ofeconomic impact, events or activities thatdraw tourists from 50 miles or more away,
events or activities that focused on community,and requeststhatdemonstrated
collaboration with other community organizations. Following the application process, interviews with the
applicants were held onNovember 12, November 18, and December 9, 2025. Deliberationswere then
held on December 9 and 10, 2025.
Funding Recommendations provided by the LTAC were rejected by the City Council at the February 4,
2026 Council Meeting, referred back to the LTAC for further consideration and further explanation of the
decision-making criteria.
The LTAC reaffirms the recommendations as presented, with the following criteriaalso considered:
1) Financial need for marketing events; 2) Timing of that marketing, so Bremerton is positioned to
compete for tourism with other waterfront cities, especially during FIFA and summer months;3)Funding
for marketing with focus on events and organizations only in Bremerton, both for new requests and for
those organizations who are generate economic impact.
Thetotal proposed allocationfor 2026 includes$450,000 (Exhibit A), and included in the Cityof
2026Budget are continued annual commitmentsto the Kitsap Conference Center for
$250,000 and $150,000 for the Admiral Theatre, for a grand totalof$850,000for Fiscal Year 2026.
ATTACHMENTS:1) Summary of Requests & Recommendations 2) Exhibit A LTAC Funding
Recommendations for 2026
FISCAL IMPACTS(Include Budgeted Amount):If funding is not approved in the next 30 days, there
are events that will have to make cuts or be potentiallycancelled.
STUDY SESSION ACTION:Action Anticipated
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Move to approve the 2026 Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Funding Recommendations as listed
under Exhibit A.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve Deny Table Continue No Action
Form Updated 04/19/2024