Lodging Tax Advisory Committee

Purpose

The purpose of the committee is to review grant applications and make recommendations to City Council regarding allocation of local lodging tax funds, and to review and comment on any proposed imposition of lodging tax, increase in the rate of lodging tax, repeal of an exemption from lodging tax, or change in the use of revenue received from lodging tax.

2022 Application Cycle

The City of Monroe opened applications for 2022 lodging tax grants on Tuesday, October 12, 2021. Applications are due no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, November 19, 2021. Links to the application packet can be found at the bottom of this page.

To be considered for funding, the request must be used for one of the following activities (RCW 67.28.1816):

• Tourism marketing;
• Marketing and operations of special events and festivals designed to attract tourists;
• Operations of tourism-related facilities owned or operated by nonprofit organizations as defined by the IRC 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6).
  • Verification of nonprofit status will be required.

Note: Capital purchases or improvements are not an allowable use for hotel/motel taxes except for City owned and/or Public Facilities District owned tourism-related facilities.

Priority consideration will be given to applications that feature events scheduled from November through April of each year, and that promote tourism activities during November through April of each year.

Organization

The committee is comprised of an elected official of the City who serves as chairperson, two representatives of businesses required to collect lodging tax, and two representatives involved in activities eligible for funding by lodging tax revenue. A staff liaison is assigned to provide administrative support. 

Membership

Organizations representing businesses collecting the lodging tax, and organizations involved in activities authorized to be funded by the lodging tax, and local agencies involved in tourism promotion may submit recommendations to the City Council for membership on the committee. The committee members representing business and persons involved in activities shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to a majority vote of the City Council. The term of membership shall be through June 30th of the year following appointment; provided, that a member’s term shall not expire until the appointment of a new member is effective.