Island County Commissioner Jill Johnson will serve as chairwoman of the Island County Joint 2-Percent Committee on Tourism for 2014.

Johnson was elected in Freeland on Jan. 2 at the committee’s monthly meeting.

The committee’s work is funded from a portion of the revenue generated by lodging taxes paid by overnight visitors to Whidbey and Camano islands.

Other 2014 officers are: Vice Chairman Chet Ross, representing the Freeland Chamber of Commerce; Secretary Joanne Lechner, representing unincorporated South Whidbey lodging; and Treasurer Dianne Binder, representing the Town of Coupeville.

The 18-member Joint Tourism Committee was founded in 2004.  Since its formation, the number of overnight visitors has steadily increased each year.

As of November, lodging tax collections are 7.8 percent higher than at the same time one year ago.

A position representing Oak Harbor lodging is currently vacant.