Group suggests how to spend lodging tax money

The Spokane Valley City Council heard a committee’s recommendation on how to spend $260,000 in lodging tax money Tuesday, and then heard one committee member’s criticism of how the group conducted itself.

The five-person committee, headed by Councilman Mike Flanigan, suggested giving the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center $9,000, Valleyfest $15,000, the Valley Heritage Museum $10,000, the YMCA $6,000, the Spokane Regional Sports Commission $75,000, and the Spokane Regional Convention and Visitors and Bureau $136,000.

Those six entities, plus the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, had requested a total of almost $400,000. The chamber applied late, and received nothing.

Cities and counties have the right to levy a 2 percent tax on overnight hotel stays. The money can be used for tourism promotion and related expenses.

Committee member Jeff Fiman, who works for Quality Inn Valley Suites, said he’s “not seen such an injustice done in the decision process to allocate funds as I have here.”

Fiman said it would be unfair to give so much to Valleyfest and the museum because two members of the committee head those organizations. He said those organizations don’t attract many visitors from outside the area.

“It is beyond comprehension (to give the museum money) when you have a worldwide museum eight miles down the road,” Fiman said. “Does anyone truly in their heart believe that when tourists and sports teams come to town they differentiate between Spokane and the Spokane Valley?”

Fiman said he felt more money should go to the visitors’ bureau, the “professionals” who bring tourists to the area.

In response, Flanigan noted that the city of Spokane recently distributed lodging tax money to community events. Plus, Valleyfest airs television ads throughout the region that promote the area and the local hotels.

Committee member Liz Beck said Fiman’s criticism surprised her.

“During our committee meetings, there was no opposition from Mr. Fiman,” she said. “I’m a little disturbed by that.”

The council will vote on how to distribute the money at a later meeting.