Chapter 2.112 LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Chapter 2.112
LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Sections:

2.112.010 Establishment.

2.112.030 Duties and authority.

2.112.010 Establishment.

There is hereby established in the city of Colville a lodging tax advisory committee to serve the functions prescribed in RCW 67.28.1817. (Ord. 1385 NS § 1, 2007).

2.112.020 Membership.

The lodging tax advisory committee shall be composed of five voting members, each appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council and shall be as follows:

A. One member shall be a Colville city council member who shall serve as chair.

B. Two members shall be representatives of businesses required to collect tax under this chapter.

C. Two members shall be persons involved in activities authorized to be funded by revenue received under this chapter.

D. The term of membership shall be through December 31st of the year following appointment. By statute, eligibility for appointment under subsection B or C of this section is mutually exclusive. Persons who are eligible for appointment under subsection B of this section are not eligible for appointment under subsection C of this section. Persons who are eligible for appointment under subsection C of this section are not eligible for appointment under subsection B of this section. The appointing authority shall review the membership of the advisory committee annually and make changes as appropriate. Each year, organizations representing businesses required to collect tax under this chapter, organizations involved in activities authorized to be funded by revenue received under this chapter, and local agencies involved in tourism promotion may submit recommendations for membership on the committee. (Ord. 1385 NS § 2, 2007).

2.112.030 Duties and authority.

A. Not less than 45 days before taking final action on any lodging tax proposals enumerated in this subsection, the Colville city council shall submit to the lodging tax advisory committee, for its review and comment, proposals regarding the following:

1. The imposition of a tax under Chapter 67.28 RCW.

2. Any change in the rate of such tax.

3. Repeals or exemptions from such a tax.

4. A change in the use of the revenue received from such a tax.

B. Upon receiving a proposal from the Colville city council, the lodging tax advisory committee shall analyze the extent to which the proposal will accommodate activities for tourists or increase tourism and the extent to which the proposal will affect the long-range stability of the fund created for the lodging tax revenues. The committee shall submit a written recommendation to the city council within 45 days of receiving the proposal. The report shall be advisory to the city council and shall not be binding upon the council. Failure of the advisory committee to submit its report to the city council in a timely fashion prior to final action on or passage of the proposal shall not prevent the city council from acting on the proposal.

C. The lodging tax advisory committee is authorized to perform initial review of applications for lodging tax funding and to make recommendations to the Colville city council regarding which projects the city should fund. The city council shall submit a proposal to the lodging tax advisory committee for review and comment as stated in subsection A of this section. However, the city council is not required to submit an amended proposal to the advisory committee. If any expenditures will constitute an amendment to the city’s annual budget, the request shall be submitted to the lodging tax advisory committee prior to final approval by the city council. (Ord. 1385 NS § 3, 2007).

2.112.040 Procedure.

A. A quorum shall consist of no less than three voting members on the committee with a minimum of one member from CMC 2.112.020(B) and (C) present. A quorum must be present in order for a vote to be taken on a recommendation to go to the city council.

B. All business of the lodging tax advisory committee shall be guided by “Roberts Rules of Order.”

C. The chair shall propose an agenda for meetings, shall preside at all meetings and shall vote on matters being voted on by the committee.

D. The committee may select a vice-chair or a temporary chair to act in the absence of the chair.

E. The committee may adopt a written policy of practices, not inconsistent with this chapter or other direction of the city council.

F. Each voting member is entitled to one vote. All matters establishing policies, recommendations or decisions shall be decided by a majority vote of voting members present.

G. The members of the committee shall receive no compensation and are not eligible for reimbursement of expenses incidental to services on the committee. The committee may request specific support necessary to carry out its responsibilities by a request made, in advance, to the city clerk.

H. A member of the committee may be removed during their term by the city council only for sufficient cause. “Sufficient cause” means violation of the public trust or malfeasance.

I. All meetings of the committee must be documented and minutes of the proceedings will be provided to the city clerk’s office in a timely manner. (Ord. 1385 NS § 4, 2007).