Oak Harbor leaders are hoping to move forward with a funding plan for marina dredging and improvements that doesn’t require an increase in utility taxes for residents.

In order to do that, they are asking members of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee to increase the size of a grant to help pay the marina debt service.

Last week, the city council approved all but one of the grants recommended by the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, the volunteer group that makes recommendations about lodging tax grants. Lodging taxes, also known as 2% funds, are collected when people stay at hotels and other lodging businesses; they are earmarked to support tourism-related activities and facilities.

The committee received 21 applications and recommended funding to 15, for a total of $408,000 for next year

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