Bothell Lodging Tax Advisory Committee - April 14, 2026

The Bothell Lodging Tax Advisory Committee held a meeting on April 14, 2026, focusing primarily on budget and marketing contract discussions related to tourism and lodging tax funds. The committee reviewed the 2025 year-end budget and 2026 projections, noting a beginning fund balance of approximately $41,712 and expenditures budgeted at around $500,000 for 2026. They discussed ongoing contracts, including a two-year $430,000 contract with the marketing agency Street Sense, which handles website management, social media, and lead generation. The committee also considered the potential purchase of a $5,160 annual subscription to CoStar for detailed hotel performance data to inform future budgeting and marketing strategies. Additionally, they reviewed other contracts such as visitor center support and holiday lighting, and discussed the possibility of issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for marketing services for 2027-2028. The committee agreed to defer the decision on the CoStar subscription to the next meeting to allow members time to review the data. There was also discussion about grant programs, event funding, and strategic marketing efforts tied to the upcoming FIFA World Cup and local tourism initiatives. No motions for immediate spending beyond the approved budget were made, but the committee clarified procedures for potential future expenditures requiring council approval.