Room Tax Commission
The Room Tax Commission approved its 2026 budget even as it reported 2025 room-tax revenue falling short and reserves projected to drop below the commission’s own target. It also voted to start a conflict-of-interest policy and, until that’s adopted, to keep the City Manager from voting on budget matters.
Approved the final 2026 Room Tax Commission budget, with a contingency: add $5,000 to “Wayside and Trails” if Parks & Rec doesn’t get the Vibrant Spaces grant. That’s a small but real signal the commission is budgeting around grant uncertainty instead of guaranteed revenue.
Voted to create a conflict-of-interest policy and, until it’s adopted, require the City Manager to sit out budget votes. This is the commission acknowledging a governance gap and trying to patch it midstream rather than after a problem blows up.
Heard that 2025 room-tax revenue was running well below budget, with the downturn starting in April; reserves were forecast to end 2025 at $62,299—below the commission’s $90,000 goal—setting up likely budget adjustments in early 2026.
She urged the commission to keep working together and communicating better so the community understands what the Room Tax Commission does, and said she appreciated the group’s engagement and thoughtfulness.