### Meeting Overview The Community and Economic Development Committee met on February 24th, 2025, with Committee Chair Jace Cotton presiding. The committee approved lodging tax funding recommendations for two new events: a downtown music festival and a softball tournament, both planned for spring 2026. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC):** A state-mandated committee that reviews proposals and makes recommendations for how lodging tax revenue should be spent on tourism-promoting activities and events. **Signature Event:** A multi-year funding category for major events that can draw visitors to Bellingham, with successful events receiving up to three years of funding. **Lodging Tax:** A tax collected on hotel and other overnight accommodation stays, with proceeds designated for tourism promotion and visitor services. **Artist Home:** A local organization that was awarded funding to produce a downtown music festival featuring existing venues. **All Night Ball:** A proposed softball tournament to be organized by the Bellingham Bells baseball team. **Bill 2447:** The agenda item number for the lodging tax grant recommendations under consideration. **Committee of the Whole vs. Standing Committee:** This was a standing committee meeting, focused on one policy area, rather than the full council or committee of the whole. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Jace Cotton | Committee Chair, At-Large Council Member | | Daniel Hammill | Committee Member, Third Ward (attended remotely) | | Edwin H. "Skip" Williams | Committee Member, Fourth Ward | | Tara Sundin | Community and Economic Development Manager | ### Background Context Bellingham uses lodging tax revenue to fund events and activities that promote tourism and bring visitors to the city. The state requires that a Lodging Tax Advisory Committee review proposals and make recommendations to the city council, but the final funding decisions rest with the council. Previous signature events funded through this process include Bellingham Seafeast and Northwest Tune-up, demonstrating the city's commitment to supporting events that can become annual draws for visitors. The signature event category provides substantial funding ($100,000 in the first year) with the potential for three years of support if events prove successful. This structure helps new events get established while ensuring public funds support activities that actually deliver tourism benefits. ### What Happened — The Short Version The meeting lasted just three minutes and focused entirely on Bill 2447. Tara Sundin explained that LTAC had recommended funding two events for spring 2026: $100,000 for Artist Home to create a downtown music festival using existing venues, and $50,000 for the Bellingham Bells to organize a softball tournament called "All Night Ball." She clarified that while signature events can receive three years of funding if successful, the Bells' tournament was only approved for one year and would need to compete annually if they want continued support. Committee Member Williams moved to approve both recommendations, and the motion passed unanimously. Chair Cotton indicated he would bring the recommendation to the full council that evening. ### What to Watch Next - The full City Council will vote on these funding recommendations at their evening meeting - Both events are planned for spring 2026, so implementation details will be developed over the coming year - The Bellingham Bells will need to apply annually if they want continued funding for future tournaments ---