Town leaders hope for summer tax revenue rebound

Town officials are guardedly optimistic that La Conner can weather a spring sales tax revenue slump.

Citing wet, chilly weather as a possible factor, Mayor Marna Hanneman shared with town council at its June 11 meeting that La Conner’s total tax receipts are down $17,000 from this time last year.

Reported town tax receipts totaled $230,770 through May 2023, compared to $213,974 through May 2024.

“The weather’s not helping, but I believe people are coming to town,” said Hanneman. “They’re just not spending money.”

May’s receipts of $46,949 are only slightly behind the $48,073 collected in 2023. May sales tax revenue reports reflect March collections, which precede La Conner’s peak tourist season.

Her assessment of current tourist volume is borne out by 2024 hotel/motel tax revenue statistics that basically match last year’s level at this point.

“Let’s hope we have a really good summer and maybe get more boats coming in,” Hanneman said.

La Conner Chamber of Commerce Director Mark Hulst is embracing a glass half-full outlook.

He told Council that the Chamber has generated promotional copy that has found its way into print and digital publications that tout La Conner as a prime destination for tourists.

“There’s still a lot of interest in La Conner,” Hulst said.

He cited the annual Classic Car & Boat Show set for Aug. 3 at La Conner Marina.

“We’re hoping to have about 200 cars this year and more boats on the water,” he said.

Hulst said the Chamber is conferring with tour guides to help local merchants “know who and what’s coming” to town this summer. He estimated that over 40 boats will be in La Conner around the July 4 holiday.

“A scavenger hunt is being planned to make some things happen,” Hulst said. “And, hopefully, some disposable income will be left behind to help build up tax revenue.”

Hanneman addressed two other key topics: The status of the Garfield Masonic Lodge, which houses the La Conner Sunrise Food Bank, and plans for the town’s south end property it bought from the Jenson family.

Hanneman said the lodge building is being put up for sale.

“We’re reaching out to the community on how to help the food bank,” she said. “It’s imperative that we keep the food bank here.”

As for the former Jenson property, the town has received numerous suggestions as to how the site can best be used to benefit the community, the main stipulation for its sale. No action is imminent.

“For now, we’re just gathering information,” Hanneman said. The town hasn’t budgeted money to develop the property this year.

Town Administrator Scott Thomas presented options to deal with delivery trucks clipping overhead utility wires, an issue the council heard in May.

One possibility would be for the council to adopt an ordinance designating a truck route.

That wouldn’t be a foolproof remedy, he said.

“We could adopt an ordinance, but the problem would be enforcement,” he said. “The trucks come in at four, five or six in the morning.”

Thomas said the town would have to budget for additional traffic enforcement and new signage designating the truck route. The ordinance would have to clearly define what vehicles would have to use a truck route.

“We should probably look at an ordinance,” Thomas said, “but I don’t think we’re ready to commit to it now.”

Thomas and Public Works Director Brian Lease said communications companies, which often change hands with mergers, are often slow to remove abandoned lines. Lease has requested that Ziply Fiber remove old wires when it installs fiberoptic lines in La Conner.

Councilmember Ivan Carlson recommended the town waive fees for the La Conner Youth Sports Association to periodically use Pioneer Park and Maple Hall.

Hanneman agreed with the merits.

“I think it’s important that we support anything we can for our youth,” she said.

Town leaders will next meet at their annual summer retreat 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, June 24, at the Waterfront Cafe. The retreat is open to the public.