Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC)

Anticipated timeline for the 2027 Application Cycle:

• The Lodging Tax Funding Application is available online using the button above.
  • A copy of the application questions are available for review and application preparation.
  • Applicants are encouraged to review the 2024 Lodging Tax Funding Workshop materials to learn more about lodging tax funding use.
  • Applications received after the due date will not be considered for that funding cycle.
• The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee uses an application Scoring Rubric as part of the application selection process. Some questions on this application have an assigned score value. The Committee will consider the scores; however, they are not the final determining factor for award selections.
• Applicants may be required to give a supplemental presentation to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee.
• Funding is awarded annually. Year-to-year funding is not guaranteed.

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The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee annually recommends funding strategies to the Lacey City Council for lodging tax revenues. Lodging tax revenues are generated through a 4% excise tax imposed by the City as authorized by RCW 67.28.  State law limits the use of lodging tax revenues to tourism marketing, marketing and operations of special events and festivals designed to attract tourists, and supporting the operations of tourism-related facilities owned or operated by a municipality, public facilities district, or nonprofit organization as outlined in RCW 67.28.1816.

You can find more Lodging Tax Advisory Committee information in Chapter 3.03.045 of the Lacey Municipal Code.

2026 Lodging Tax Funding Award Recipients

Tourism Events and Festivals	Mark Your Calendars	2026 Funding Award
2026 Funk Off Festival – Ecstatic Soul Collective	January 30 – February 2	$2,500
Oly Soccer – Olympia Soccer Foundation	February – May	$40,000
Lacey Night Market at the Depot – SWAE Night Market	April – October	$5,000
Washington State Senior Games – Washington State Senior Games	June – August	$13,000
Lacey PolyFest – Polynesian Association of Thurston County	June 27 – 28	$5,000
3rd of July Fireworks Spectacular – City of Lacey	July 3	$11,000
USSSA Cascades National Championship Tournament – USSSA Tournament Celebrations	July 9 – 13	$10,000
Lacey South Sound BBQ Festival – Lacey South Sound Chamber	July 11	$10,000
South Sound Block Party – Team-Tomorrow LLC	August 28-29	$10,000
Holiday Market – Lacey South Sound Chamber	November 7	$5,0000
Olympia/Lacey Fan Zone- Thurston County Chamber	June – July	$80,000

Tourism-Related Facilities and Tourism-Promotion Activities	2026 Funding Award
Experience Olympia and Beyond – Visitor & Convention Bureau of Thurston County	$100,000
Lacey MakerSpace	$15,000
Lacey Museum and Cultural Center – City of Lacey	$30,000
Lacey Visitors Center – Lacey South Sound Chamber	$35,000
Nisqually Reach Nature Center	$5,000
Regional Athletic Complex (RAC) – City of Lacey	$278,739
Thurston County Fair and Event Center – Thurston County	$15,000
Washington Center for the Performing Arts	$15,000

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Lodging Tax Funding Applicant Selection

Each year, the Committee reviews applications for lodging tax funding and makes a recommendation to the Lacey City Council on the use of lodging tax revenues. The recommendations are based on applicants who demonstrate the ability to attract and enhance tourism in Lacey and its Urban Growth Area.

• The Committee uses an Application Scoring Rubric to assist with the application selection process. Scores are considered by the Committee but are not the final determining factor for award selection.
• Applicants may be required to give a supplemental application presentation, at the discretion of the Committee.

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Lodging Tax Funding Requirements and Forms

Funding recipients are required to enter into a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) and maintain insurance in compliance with the terms outlined in the PSA.

• Recipients must submit a completed Exhibit B- Lodging Tax Report within 30 days of completed activities.
• Funds are issued on a reimbursement basis only. Recipients must submit a completed Exhibit C- Lodging Tax Request for Reimbursement form and supplemental documentation for reimbursement.

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Lodging Tax Funding Workshop

The cities of Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater, and Thurston County hosted a Lodging Tax Funding Workshop for potential applicants to learn about lodging tax and the funding process. To review the presentation or download a copy of the materials see the links below.

For more information about other regional lodging tax advisory committees and their processes visit:

• City of Olympia: Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (olympiawa.gov)
• City of Tumwater: Lodging Tax Advisory Committee | City of Tumwater, WA
• Thurston County: Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) | Thurston County (thurstoncountywa.gov)

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