PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles City Council has sent 16 unfunded or partially funded lodging tax proposals back to the lodging tax advisory committee (LTAC) for further review in early 2025, following a heated public meeting Tuesday night.

The council chamber was packed mostly with youth sports advocates pushing for reconsideration of their denied requests, citing the economic benefits of events like basketball tournaments and the Cal Ripken state baseball tournament.

Mayor Kate Dexter, on KONP’s “Todd Ortloff Show”, said she made the motion on the unfunded projects hoping there will be a serious second look.

“I requested that the committee, at their first meeting in 2025, revisit underfunded and unfunded projects. Additionally, we ask staff to provide a dollar estimate for those projects at our December meeting,” said Dexter. “While there may be some budget constraints, the current reserve is substantial, and those funds are intended for projects. I hope this guidance will be useful.”

Dexter added that the move is procedural. Under state law, the city council has to act on a recommendation of the LTAC and sending the items back was necessary before the council could reconsider.

The council did approve full funding for 33 applications, totaling $1.27 million, from the city’s lodging tax fund, which is drawn from a 2% tax on short-term stays to support tourism-related activities. Fully funded projects include $250,000 for Field Arts & Events Hall operations and $210,000 for Visit Port Angeles marketing.

The LTAC had initially reviewed 49 proposals requesting $1.54 million but recommended funding 42 of them.