> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.jeffcobeacon.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Approves 2027 Tax Funds After Contentious Debate - URL: https://www.jeffcobeacon.com/lodging-tax-advisory-committee-approves-2027-tax-funds-after-contentious-debate/ - Published: 2026-09-02T00:13:29.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-02T00:13:29.000Z - Description: Committee approves dual-track Requests for Proposals in effort to break funding impasse. - Author: Rachael Nutting - Tags: local-news, Jefferson County Board of County Commisioners, BOCC, Jefferson County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, LTAC, Lodging Taxes, 2027 Lodging Tax Fund, Rachael Nutting JEFFERSON COUNTY, WA — On August 28, 2026, the Jefferson County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) met in a special session on Friday to finalize and approve the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 2027 Lodging Tax Fund allocation. Lodging taxes are collected as a sales tax by operators from customers for lodging stays under 30 days long. The Lodging funds are then used to fund tourism events throughout the county. After over two hours of discussion—and a last-minute compromise—the committee approved two RFP options to present to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). **Public concern over process and transparency** The meeting opened with public comment from community members expressing frustration over the county's handling of the funds. Resident Patty Schmucker echoed these concerns, noting that "changing the rules once again midstream seems so unfair to the community." She urged the committee to maintain stability for the current funding cycle rather than implementing rushed changes. **The core disagreement: $625,000 vs. $1,004,000** The central conflict centered on the total amount of the funding to be used for projects that promote tourism in Jefferson County. The LTAC voted unanimously for a $1,004,000 allocation. However, the BOCC approved only $625,000 for the public RFP process, reserving the remaining $379,000 for destination marketing—a move many committee members viewed as the county attempting to bypass LTAC's advisory role. Dan Ventura, an LTAC member, argued forcefully that the BOCC's position represented a fundamental shift in how lodging tax funds are distributed. "The RCW was written this way on purpose," Ventura stated. "This is a super easy tax to get the voters to approve. 'Do you guys want a tax on people that don't live here?' Yeah, we want a tax on people that don't live here. Therefore, the RCW was written to make it super difficult for the Board of County Commissioners to spend that money." Chair Heather Dudley-Nollette acknowledged the frustration while seeking compromise: "My frustration has been that I actually felt like we have spent this last year preparing to put this proposal forward. But then when we got into the joint meeting, it was clear to me that we were not on the same page in the way that I thought we were." Tara McCauley, in her fourth year on LTAC, described the situation as a "moving target," noting that each year the conversation shifts—from a county staff position to a pool, to Parks and Rec, to destination infrastructure. She advocated for a "very transparent and well-defined plan that is slow and gradual" rather than piecemeal annual decisions. **The compromise: Two RFP options** After extensive discussion, the committee approved two RFP versions: Version 1: The $625,000 allocation reflecting the BOCC-approved amount, following the traditional RFP process. Version 2: A $1,004,000 RFP with two designated funding pots—$625,000 for general tourism promotion and $379,000 specifically for destination marketing of Jefferson County, with the requirement that the destination marketing portion remain competitive and open to all qualified applicants. The committee expressed a clear preference for Version 2, which Dan Ventura characterized as providing "a very clear binary decision for BOCC. They can either approve the 625 and sit on the rest, or they can approve the 1,004,000 where we've created a clear pathway for their priorities." **Addressing equity concerns** The committee also refined the application timeline and process to ensure fairness. A "cure period" was established allowing committee members to submit clarifying questions to applicants after initial review, with applicants receiving at least five business days to respond. This replaces the previous practice of in-meeting questioning, which some felt gave an advantage to applicants who could attend in person. The RFP timeline sets the application deadline for September 30, 2026, with technical assistance available from September 8-18\. LTAC will review applications on October 30, with final deliberations scheduled for November 20. The 2027 Request for Proposal packet and application information can be found [here](https://test.co.jefferson.wa.us/WeblinkExternal/DocView.aspx?id=10541106&dbid=0&repo=Jefferson&cr=1&ref=jeffcobeacon.com). **Looking forward** The approved RFP documents—including the timeline, scorecard, and both funding versions—will now be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for consideration. The LTAC's preference for the full $1,004,000 allocation with competitive destination marketing provisions will be clearly communicated. "Thank you all so much. You've done an amazing job. You don't get enough credit for all the hard work you do," commented Marcia Massey during public comment, reflecting the broader community appreciation for the committee's lengthy deliberations. Heather Dudley-Nollette closed the meeting by emphasizing the committee's shared goal: "Our job is to keep our focus on the best use of LTAC dollars per the law. The RCW tells us exactly what we can and cannot do with these dollars. As the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee members, our goal should be to use these dollars to lift the Jefferson County economy." The BOCC is expected to consider the RFP options at an upcoming meeting.