ORDINANCE NO. 1170

AN ORDINANCE creating a Lodging Tax Advisory Committee.

WHEREAS, the Town of Friday Harbor has adopted an ordinance levying both a two (2%) percent excise tax and an additional one and two-tenths (1.2%) percent excise tax on the sale or charge made for the furnishing of lodging; and

WHEREAS, the Council has determined that the funds received from the additional one and two-tenths (1.2%) percent excise tax should be used only for the promotion of tourism, which is one of the uses expressly allowed by RCW 67.28.1815; and

WHEREAS, the Council has also determined that it would be beneficial to the Town if an advisory committee was created to assist the Town in determining the most appropriate way to expend the funds received from the additional one and two-tenths (1.2%) percent excise tax on lodging:

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Friday Harbor as follows:

SECTION 1. COMMITTEE CREATED

A Lodging Tax Advisory Committee is hereby created. The Committee shall consist of seven members, two of whom shall be members of the Town Council.

SECTION 2. APPOINTMENT, TERMS AND QUALIFICATIONS.

Members of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee shall be appointed by the Council and shall serve indefinite terms at the will of the Council. Members other than the two Councilpersons shall be owners or employees of businesses which are obligated to collect the additional one and two-tenths (1.2%) percent excise tax.

SECTION 3. ORGANIZATION.

The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee shall be organized as follows;

Chairperson. One of the Councilpersons appointed to the Committee shall be elected by the members of the Committee to serve as chairperson.

Quorum. No business shall be conducted without a quorum at the meeting. A quorum shall exist when a majority of the members, including at least one Councilperson, are present.

Voting. All actions of the Committee shall be accomplished by a vote of the membership. A simple majority of the members present at the meeting in which action is taken shall be necessary to approve any action taken. The chairperson is entitled to vote on all matters.

SECTION 4. Powers and duties.

The Committee’s sole function shall be to advise the Town Council on ways to expend the additional one and two-tenths (1.2%) percent excise tax funds received by the Town.

The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee shall have no authority to approve or disapprove the expenditure of funds received by the Town as a result of the additional one and two-tenths (1.2%) percent excise tax.

SECTION 5. Staff assistance.

The planning staff shall provide the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee with such assistance as is reasonably necessary to enable it to perform its functions and duties. Staff assistance shall include, but not be limited to, staff reports, research, general planning, and instruction.

SECTION 6. This ordinance shall become effective following publication in accordance with State law and shall remain in effect only until September 30, 2003.

ADOPTED this 7^th day of June 2001.

TOWN OF FRIDAY HARBOR