Chapter 2.54
LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Sections:

2.54.010    Creation – Membership.

2.54.020    Authority and duties.

2.54.030    Terms and vacancies.

2.54.040    Chairperson and rules of conduct.

2.54.050    Staff assistance.

2.54.010 Creation – Membership.

There is created a Lodging Tax Advisory Committee pursuant to RCW 67.28.1817 and consisting of five members, appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. One member shall be an elected official of the City who shall serve as chair, two members shall be representatives of businesses required to collect the tax, and two members shall be persons involved in activities authorized to be funded by revenue received from the tax. The appointment authority shall review the membership of the Advisory Committee annually and make changes as appropriate. [Ord. 2153 § 1, 2006.]

2.54.020 Authority and duties.

A. The Committee shall serve as an advisory committee for the Council as it relates to hotel/motel tax funds. All meetings shall be open to the public following publication of a notice for such meeting in the legal newspaper for the City of Sunnyside.

B. The City Council shall submit to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, for its review and comment, proposals on: (1) the imposition of any new lodging tax; (2) any increase in the rate of such a tax; (3) repeal of an exemption from such a tax; or (4) a change in the use of the revenue received from such a tax. The City Council shall submit such a proposal to the Committee at least 45 days before taking final action on any such proposal. Comments by the Committee should include an analysis of 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 special fund created for the lodging tax revenues. [Ord. 2153 § 1, 2006.]

2.54.030 Terms and vacancies.

The term of office for the members of the Committee shall be three years and expire on December 31st. The City Council shall have the power to remove any member at will and declare the position vacant. Vacancies shall be filled in the manner used for regular appointments to the Committee. In the case of a member appointed to complete the term of a resigning member, then the term shall be for the remainder of the original term of office for which the member is being appointed. Unless otherwise provided, all members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. No person shall serve more than two consecutive terms unless the Council makes a finding that special expertise is required or there are no other qualified applicants.

Unexcused absences from any two consecutive meetings shall be grounds for removal. [Ord. 2153 § 1, 2006.]

2.54.040 Chairperson and rules of conduct.

Pursuant to RCW 68.27.1817, one member shall be an elected official of the City who shall serve as chair. The Committee may, subject to the review and approval of the City Council, adopt rules of conduct and meeting times. A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and a majority vote of those present shall be necessary to carry any recommended action. The Committee shall comply with the provisions of the Washington Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 42.30 RCW. [Ord. 2153 § 1, 2006.]

2.54.050 Staff assistance.

The City Manager or designee shall provide staff assistance to the Committee and shall serve to facilitate communications by the Committee to the City Council. [Ord. 2153 § 1, 2006.]