[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6155814,"mediaKeyId","5473376-47522110b19b569263297639aab21a4b","parentId",5473376,"title","Monroe council adopts formal criteria for lodging tax awards to guide tourism funding","audioSeconds",510,"startMs",3008000,"endMs",3518000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5473376-47522110b19b569263297639aab21a4b&start=3008&end=3518","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5473376-47522110b19b569263297639aab21a4b/thumbnail_3008000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6155814/Monroe-City/Snohomish-County/Washington/Monroe-council-adopts-formal-criteria-for-lodging-tax-awards-to-guide-tourism-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155814-331b58d1d78f6c69836e2892d05782b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770493923&Signature=CtsR5iGdUzt5c9l9I6GYpXbze31dAneqowV9Cs1Fo1HpiI4fInX9a0LjFyfHtPDAKE~YfBtliKP3SK00yYVakbRgcEo9xRKzziG1~sUG7rHUd2ReyWAFEv-BPBi3m-aWCKUx8DMGFmkk5oaxZyRw7VRx-7zUiUW-3wJfqh0Hr~18O67i88KDz-mFiRysioCb60MiT-DtiTV2wOjilNxhxQcRICAQ3A8NdvhrNE-x2JQGRoAcXck2B~ddI4hGFygLuRCvbcREVu-M7lTTUXEUevvsrhdu3zfC69eHA~KdqEXtYgUNE1SqUq5Mo18QTiQ-Aveq0fy6pseGumGBk4iYXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Monroe City, WA","date","2025-07-25T15:44:03.32Z","article","Monroe, Wash. — The Monroe City Council on July 22 approved by a 7-0 vote a formal set of criteria recommended by the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) to guide lodging tax awards for the 2026 cycle.

Why it matters: Lodging tax funding supports events and activities intended to attract overnight visitors. Formal criteria aim to make award decisions more predictable and to prioritize programs that demonstrate visitor economic impact, collaboration and innovation.

What was approved: Liam (staff) told the council that in May the council adopted \"ordinance 7 20 25\" authorizing LTAC to establish rules and criteria. LTAC met July 10 and finalized recommended evaluation criteria and methodology. The recommended criteria include organizational capacity, innovation, marketing, collaboration, and demonstrated economic impact toward increasing overnight stays; the matrix also includes bonus points for off-season programming and free public attendance when applicable. LTAC intends to reevaluate the criteria after the fiscal-year 2026 application round to adjust weights or scoring if needed.

Council discussion and vote: Councilmember Beaumont said she supported the criteria and welcomed the focus on outcomes and novelty: \"That is important. And also awards to organizations or events that offer something new, unique, or creative.\" Beaumont moved to approve the committee’s recommendation; Councilmember Hanford seconded. The council voted 7-0 to adopt the criteria.

Next steps: The LTAC will use the approved criteria to evaluate lodging tax applications for the fiscal-year 2026 cycle; final award amounts remain at LTAC and council discretion. Staff and LTAC plan to review the criteria after the first formal cycle and propose adjustments if warranted.

Background and context: Staff said LTAC reviewed criteria used by six other cities as part of its work. Councilmembers thanked LTAC members and staff for additional meetings and analysis leading to the recommendation. No changes to the lodging tax rate or funding pool were proposed during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","July 22, 2025 Monroe WA City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The City Council approved a Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) recommendation to adopt formal criteria for evaluating lodging tax proposals beginning with the 2026 cycle; criteria emphasize capacity, innovation, marketing and economic impact and will be reevaluated after the cycle.","taxTitle","Monroe City, Snohomish County, Washington","taxId",71110,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6155818,"Monroe confirms Kevin Teague as parks and recreation director, start date set for Sept. 2",290,276000,566000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5473376-47522110b19b569263297639aab21a4b&start=276&end=566","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5473376-47522110b19b569263297639aab21a4b/thumbnail_276000.jpg","/articles/6155818/Monroe-City/Snohomish-County/Washington/Monroe-confirms-Kevin-Teague-as-parks-and-recreation-director-start-date-set-for-Sept-2","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155818-3016dcc4061c4841dfb24425d679c825/orig.mp4?Expires=1770493923&Signature=dIQN~l21YSkq1vis~8NMr9CQkcRhTNLktVTXIEFW1TA9bow~Frt9VAlWDM0mZQotxxzaYD3-qoslncz5btRceY8GSYyDps39grevN35FOY-aUiRzs9jQQiAK-oxpwCzxkujc-2R0vsEKQUyc95D0u55vuzwmwVesq7RP7XaicHN8fL8xlU138N0PYai9rBUYlgcNPQWf7Oc7hbf511kHyhJe8NUiN3cOqyw91kik764WVNKzyuTxw8x7dYuGyfZgd6D~CB18tDM0kUsP8KJ7DkowsVwETXwApJ5L5MfRPXyHtZL6G5OWel3IuHEou5bbRAFtRyoV42VXkAehoEjgyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Monroe, Wash. — The Monroe City Council unanimously confirmed Kevin Teague as the city’s parks and recreation director on July 22, with an effective start date of Sept. 2, 2025.

Why it matters: The council emphasized Teague’s local ties and two decades of parks experience as the city seeks to sustain and expand parks and recreation programming.

Details of the appointment: Ben Worthen presented the appointment to the council, saying Teague has been the deputy director for parks, recreation and facilities at the City of Sammamish since 2020 and brings “over 25 years of parks experience.” Worthen noted Teague holds a bachelor’s degree from WSU, is a licensed landscape architect and a certified arborist. Mayor Jeffrey Thomas described Teague as a long-time community member: \"He and his family have also lived here coincidentally for about 30 years or so. I think that we've got a great candidate to help set us up for the future, and I respectfully request your confirmation of my appointment.\"

Council action: Councilmember Walker moved to confirm the mayor’s appointment, with Councilmember Gamble seconding. The council voted 7-0 to confirm the appointment. Councilmembers who spoke in favor cited Teague’s reputation and family ties to the community; Councilmember Hanford said, “very, well respected family in this community,” as his reason for support.

Next steps and context: Teague will begin work with the city on Sept. 2, 2025. No amendments, conditions, or additional directives were recorded in the confirmation vote. The council later thanked parks staff for ongoing work at city parks during reports.

Background information: Worthen and Mayor Thomas noted prior professional overlap with Teague in Snohomish County and his recent role in Sammamish. The council's formal confirmation completes the mayoral appointment process that the city follows for department directors.","The Monroe City Council unanimously confirmed the mayor’s appointment of Kevin Teague as Parks and Recreation Director; Teague previously served as deputy director in Sammamish and will begin Sept. 2, 2025.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6155823,"Monroe council asks Republic Services for answers, opens RFP after weeks of missed trash pickups",2388,585000,2973000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5473376-47522110b19b569263297639aab21a4b&start=585&end=2973","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5473376-47522110b19b569263297639aab21a4b/thumbnail_585000.jpg","/articles/6155823/Monroe-City/Snohomish-County/Washington/Monroe-council-asks-Republic-Services-for-answers-opens-RFP-after-weeks-of-missed-trash-pickups","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155823-f696ddc0b737b53de99cc98026087f25/orig.mp4?Expires=1770493923&Signature=k80yUzCKpDyZv5sBYwzWDDAzTGJcUydx1BSXDEVknyS2arIMhxICjXhywahtza83mghOAYVrUOKjjTD27Vn2ppojU~OQ~pLWnQ6yL8Tlsr-798qFUtGc~7FUH~omxh0VvAtIUgU2Q~K9yuXlIj-bDhOKLe8JgBA31l8Sn17UGuCNrGaSJjF31s6WSAvqbUKXGX5TGd5z8ULsjyRE0uTkUZMgHcZ4z02b9yYSIhdqMs9nzPA3-IinhwcFhbqWQ~lFH1~AgpTKjjSw5wnVwKZ8v81nMoxXamEH-7xvcyhgSWqnsvAS-SBLJGidWR8gm~DLX~R4-y~aYd9DDqH1yRpZUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Monroe, Wash. — The Monroe City Council voted 7-0 July 22 to direct the mayor and staff to begin a request-for-proposals process for solid-waste collection after repeated missed trash pickups in July and a chaotic community drop-off event the city hosted.

Council members said the immediate problem was missed residential service the weeks of July 7 and July 14, followed by a municipal drop-off event the city organized and said was fully funded by Republic Services. Public works Director Roberts told the council the city’s current agreement with Republic was signed in 2017, is on a rolling three-year renewal cycle and had most recently been renewed in 2024.

Why it matters: Council members said residents paid for a service they did not receive, suffered inconvenience and health concerns, and the city’s staff and police devoted time and resources to an emergency response. Council members pressed for both resident relief and accountability from the contractor.

Council discussion: Councilmember Scarborough described long lines at the drop-off and said the primary harm was the uncertainty: “It was the inconvenience of not knowing that is more annoying than having to pay the bill.” Councilmember Hanford said residents have been “paying for garbage service that they're not getting” and urged more than a small refund: “There should be some kind of a discount or some kind of credit to our residents for the hassle and the inconvenience.” Councilmember Fisher asked staff to document what Republic did or did not do under the contract and requested a written explanation of the company’s compliance with the city agreement.

Operational details and city response: Director Roberts summarized the city’s role: Republic had prioritized certain ‘‘key accounts’’ (wastewater plant, hospitals and some multifamily) during service disruption, and the city elected to host a community drop-off event after Republic said it lacked resources to run both key-account pickups and a community drop-off in Monroe. Roberts told the council the city-hosted drop-off was “100% fully funded by Republic Services.” Council staff later reported the city had approximately five public works staff and law enforcement at the event. A staff count given during the meeting said the event served “just shy of 400” people.

Council actions and next steps: By unanimous vote the council approved a motion to direct the mayor and staff to begin an RFP process for a new garbage provider and schedule an informational session in September. Council also agreed by consensus to prepare a formal letter to Republic Services, expressing concerns and requesting information about contract compliance, service plans for future disruptions, and compensation measures for residents and for city costs for staff and police time spent responding to the event. Several council members said they want Republic representatives to appear in person before the council in September to explain their response.

Distinguishing discussion, direction and decision: The meeting record separates debate (residents’ inconvenience, complaints about communication, requests for credits), direction (staff directed to draft a letter and to begin RFP planning), and formal decision (7-0 motion to start an RFP). There was no formal council vote recorded on specific resident credits; council members endorsed pursuing at least a month’s credit to customers as an appropriate minimum.

Clarifying details from the meeting: The current Republic Services contract was signed in 2017 and operates on a rolling three-year renewal cadence; the agreement was most recently renewed in 2024. Missed pickups were reported the weeks of July 7 and July 14. The city-hosted drop-off was reported to have served “just shy of 400” people; staff present at the event included public works and police personnel (public works staff estimated at five), and the event was paid for by Republic Services per staff remarks.

What the council asked for: Councilmembers asked staff to (1) request a written account from Republic Services showing how the company met or failed to meet contractual obligations, (2) document city staff and police costs and seek reimbursement, (3) explore automatic credits or a one-month credit for affected residents, and (4) prepare an RFP and hold an informational session in September. Several councilmembers asked that Republic appear in person to answer questions if possible.

Background: City staff said Monroe’s agreement with Republic has been reviewed annually since at least 2020. The city’s emergency drop-off aimed to provide temporary relief after the company reported limited staffing and prioritized critical accounts. No formal litigation or contract termination was recorded during the meeting; council indicated pursuit of additional information and competitive alternatives.","After multiple weeks of missed residential trash pickups in July and a crowded city-funded drop-off event, the Monroe City Council voted unanimously to begin a request-for-proposals process and seek written explanation and remediation from Republic Services.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Monroe council adopts formal criteria for lodging tax awards to guide tourism funding

Monroe confirms Kevin Teague as parks and recreation director, start date set for Sept. 2

Monroe council asks Republic Services for answers, opens RFP after weeks of missed trash pickups