2023 Lodging Tax Funding Program is Now Open

The LTAC Committee is comprised of citizens involved in the tourism industry. It is their mission to distribute lodging taxes to support special events and festivals that attract tourists to the City of Yelm.

The Committee reviews applications and makes recommendations to the City Council for a final funding award. The City Council may approve recommendations from the LTAC Committee and may only grant lodging tax awards for projects, activities and events that have been recommended for funding.

If you have a new event or festival that qualifies for Lodging Tax funds and are interested in having your event in the City of Yelm, please complete the Funding and Application Form. Recipients must submit a Lodging Tax Final Report and an Invoice for LTAC Funding, along with any associated documents to report on the outcomes of your event.

                2023 Lodging Tax Funding Program is Now Open

   Applications must be submitted by March 1, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. to be considered for funding in 2023.

The application process is open all year. All applications submitted after March 1st each year will be considered for the following year funding. 

Yelm's Lodging Tax Fund is the primary source of City funding for events, activities, operations, and expenditures that are designed to increase tourism. The Application is here. 
The LTAC Committee allocated up to $40,000 to be made available as grants to the 2023 Lodging Tax Fund applicants. 

Schedule:
Applications are due by March 1st at 5:00pm
- The LTAC will review applications the first two weeks of March, during a pubic meeting that will be held at City Hall. 
- At the June 14th City Council meeting, City Council will take action to approve the grant award recommendations of the LTAC members. 

Who may apply? 
State Law authorizes the City of Yelm to distribute Lodging Tax Funds to eligible non-profit and government organizations to promote tourism projects, activities, and events in the City of Yelm that attract tourists. 
*Any applications received after March 1, 2022 at 5:00pm will not be considered for 2023 funding. After March 1st, we will accept applications for events and funding for the 2024 budget year. 


Current members of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee are:

  • Joe DePinto, Mayor, Elected Official
  • Shelley Nicholson, Activities authorized to be funded by revenue. 
  • Denise Hibblen, Business required to collect tax.
  • Margaret Clapp, Business required to collect tax. 
  • Clay Williams, Activities authorized to be funded by revenue.
The committee must have a minimum of five members: Two members must be representatives of businesses required to collect the lodging tax, two members who are involved in activities authorized to be funded by revenue received from the tax, one member shall be an elected official of the municipality who shall serve as chair of the committee (RCW 67.28.1817).

The five members of the Committee are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council to serve a four year term. 

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Commission,  please complete an application.