Karina Andrew reports for the Whidbey News-Times from the Oak Harbor City Council workshop meeting of July 26, 2023.
With the city of Oak Harbor being Whidbey Island’s biggest economic beneficiary when it comes to tourism, stakeholders in the industry are asking the city to foot more of the bill for tourism-related marketing and promotion.
Sherrye Wyatt, the public relations manager for Embrace Whidbey and Camano Islands, gave a presentation to the Oak Harbor City Council during a workshop meeting July 26 asking the officials to consider increasing the amount of funds the city gives annually to the county-wide tourism marketing organization.
They Said It
Councilmember Bryan Stucky said that while he believes the city should contribute more than $20,000 to the joint tourism fund, he would prefer that Embrace Whidbey and Camano Islands go through the grant application process because it gives the city greater control over how the money is spent than simply cutting the organization a check with few stipulations.
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with asking them to go through the process like everybody else,” he said.
Stucky also noted that other organizations that promote tourism locally would take a hit, since there would be fewer grant funds they could apply for through the city.
Council members suggested compromises to Wyatt’s proposal. Councilmember Beth Munns suggested that the city could increase its contribution to $30,000, and the joint tourism board could apply for a grant if it needed additional funds for a special project. Councilmember Shane Hoffmire proposed increasing the city’s contribution to 0.6%, or around a quarter of the 2% lodging tax revenue.
On the Ballot in August 2023
| CITY OF OAK HARBOR |
|---|
| City Councilmember, Position 1 Tara Hizon, the incumbent |
| City Councilmember, Position 2 Andy Plumlee Patrick “Pat” Harman Chris Wiegenstein Incumbent Beth Munns did not file for re-election. |
| City Councilmember, Position 3 Eric Marshall, the incumbent |
| City Councilmember, Position 4 Wismine D’Avilar. (Ms. D’Availar has withdrawn, but will still appear on the ballot.) John Chaszar Barbara Armes Chris Wiegenstein, the incumbent, was appointed to this position after Filing Week closed. He had chosen to file for Position 2. |
| Mayor Craig Nurvic Nick Green Ronnie Wright Shane Hoffmire Incumbent Bob Severns did not file for re-election. |
