4.60.060 Use of lodging charge revenues.
A. The lodging charges imposed within the BRTPA will be used for tourism promotion as defined in RCW 35.101.010 and as further clarified in this chapter.
B. The legislative authority has sole discretion over how such revenues will be allocated to promote tourism; provided, that revenues collected from lodging businesses located inside the Redmond zone shall be applied for tourism promotion within the city of Redmond and revenues collected from lodging businesses located in the Bellevue zone shall be applied for tourism promotion within the city of Bellevue.
C. The revenues derived from lodging charges will be used for tourism promotion, which includes, but is not limited to, the following:
1. The general promotion of tourism and convention business within the BRTPA as may be recommended by the advisory board, the city of Redmond, the city of Bellevue, or a destination marketing organization or other similar organization with whom the legislative authority shall contract to administer the operation of the BRTPA.
2. Advertising, marketing, public relations, and communication programs designed to attract overnight visitors to, increase consumer demand to, and increase market share to the BRTPA.
3. Tourism development programs, corporate visitation, meetings, conventions, festivals, and event programs to promote and increase local tourism resulting in overnight stays within the BRTPA.
4. Tourism and visitation research and data to inform and advance tourism to the BRTPA.
D. The city of Bellevue is authorized to retain charges limited to a total of five percent that is proportional to each zone’s revenues for expenses incurred in administering the BRTPA. (Ord. 6738 § 3, 2023.)