Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Meeting of September 18, 2026

The City of Lakewood held a Lodging Tax Advisory Committee meeting on September 18, 2026, focused primarily on reviewing and allocating lodging tax funds for tourism promotion, capital projects, and operational grants. The committee faced a significant funding shortfall, with requests totaling approximately $1.43 million for operations against available funds of about $870,000, necessitating difficult budget decisions. Presentations were made by various local organizations including the Grave Concerns Association, Historic Fort Stilicum Association, Lakewood Gardens, Lakewood Playhouse, Tacoma Country and Golf Club, and others, detailing their tourism-related activities and funding requests. A major capital project discussed was the H Barn renovation at Fort Stilicum Park, with a recommended allocation of approximately $1.54 million. The committee proposed funding adjustments to balance requests with available funds, emphasizing the need for future adoption of a scoring and ranking system to guide equitable and strategic funding decisions. Motions to approve the adjusted non-capital and capital funding allocations were passed, and members noted the importance of focusing on projects that demonstrably drive overnight tourism and hotel stays.