HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022/07/20 MASON COUNTY LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
411 North 5"Street,Shelton,WA 98584
Wednesday,July 20, 2022 9:00 a.m.
Members in attendance via Zoom: Chair Sharon Trask,Shaun Tucker, Heidi McCutcheon, Pam Volz, Greg
Oldham and Duane Wilson. Also in attendance was Liz Arbaugh, Deidre Peterson,Jeff Slakey and
Rachel Hansen.
Chair Trask called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m.
Approval of Minutes
Pam/Shaun moved and seconded to approve the April 20, 2022 minutes. Motion carried.
2022 2"d Quarter Reports
Mason County Historical Society Museum—Liz Arbaugh presented the 2nd quarter report. Museum
attendance has increased with visitors from a variety of places outside the County. The museum hosted
the Mason County League of Women Voters event, Women Leaders of Mason County, in April. Also had
two nights of stories and poetry by Shelton native Gary Strankman. They have started the scanning of
negatives and have added photos to an online platform.
Northwest Event Organizers,Tourism Development—Rachel Hansen presented the 2022 2nd Quarter
Report. June lodging tax took a slight dip; Rachel believes this is due to less lodging (vacation rentals)
being available. Explore Hood Canal website traffic has increased and Rachel provided details. Rachel
has hired Jeff Slakey to provide marketing services. She attended the 2022 Travel Adventure Show in
Santa Clara CA. Rachel has assisted several community events/festivals to help make sure they are
successful events.
Shaun suggested the committee explore what expectations should be of Rachel since tourism needs
have changed. This will be added to the October agenda.
North Mason Chamber of Commerce—Pam Voltz presented the 2nd quarter report. They have included
event information on the Chamber's website. Staff has been visiting areas promoting the VIC services.
Shelton Mason Chamber of Commerce—Heidi McCutcheon presented the VIC 2nd quarter report. In-
person visitor traffic has increased along with phone calls and Facebook use. The Hood Canal Visitor
Center page shares a tourism related topic daily.
VIC hours—Shelton Chamber&Caboose is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m.to 4 p.m.
Thursday to Monday; Hoodsport phone calls forward to Shelton when Hoodsport is closed. Belfair is
Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.to 1 p.m.; Union is open Friday to Sunday 10 a.m.to
4 p.m.
Recommendation to extend the VIC contracts for 2023
Discussion of does the LTAC recommend award for VIC's in 2023 and at what amount. The current
formula is 20%of lodging tax is awarded to VIC's and in 2021$869,863 total lodging tax was received,
meaning$173,972 is available. It was noted that inflation needs to be considered and the 2022 award
was reduced from previous years.
Shaun/Greg moved and seconded to extend the VIC 2023 contracts with the some terms and percentage
as 2022 (20%of 2021 lodging revenue total award)Shelton Chamber, $106,123, North Mason Chamber,
$48,712, Historical Society Museum, $19,137. Motion carried, Heidi& Pam abstained.
LTAC Meeting Minutes—July 20, 2022
Duane asked if the Hoodsport hours will increase. Heidi said she will consider this if the data warrants
an increase. Historically there is very little visitor traffic on Tuesday and Wednesdays. Duane would like
to see an increase in hours during peak tourism season. The Hoodsport VIC telephone is forwarded to
the Shelton Chamber office when Hoodsport VIC is closed.
Other Business—The Welcome Center concept was briefly discussed. There has been no new activity in
2022. Rachel reported that Representative Griffey did sponsor legislation that allows some funding
from WSDOT.
Rachel personally purchased a building in Hoodsport and intends to show a proof of concept and will be
offering tourism concierge services along with some food services. She intends to open the facility in
August 2022.The goal is to have the Welcome Center be self-sufficient.
Public Comment- none
Calendar-The next meeting is October 19, 2022 at 9 a.m. The 2022 meeting schedule is the 3rd
Wednesday, 9 a.m. every quarter—January, April,July and October.
Adiourn
The meeting ended at 11:08 a.m.
LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
ATTES r
LTAC MeArk Chair