Island chambers of commerce top the list of recipients for the county’s $220,000 share of lodging tax for 2015.

The Island County commissioners approved the recommendations of the county’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee at Monday’s regular meeting.

The Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce received the largest sum of $30,000, the Coupeville chamber got $26,750, and the Langley, Camano Island and Freeland chambers each were allotted $25,000.

Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Christine Cribb said that the lodging tax, which is a 2 percent tax on hotel rooms, primarily goes toward promoting local activities and events off-island.

“The goal is definitely to put heads in beds,” Cribb said.

Last year, only $186,000 in funding was available and all island chambers of commerce received $23,000.

Conspicuously absent from this year’s list was the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, who received $23,000 for 2014, but did not apply for the 2015 cycle, according to the county.

Clinton Chamber of Commerce board Chairman Bob Craven said the Clinton Chamber is currently struggling with participation and couldn’t apply without a 2015 plan in place.

“I don’t even have a board right now,” Craven said. “It’s not like we’re not doing anything, but we need more people involved.”

Other large allotments for 2015 included $12,000 to the Oak Harbor Music Festival, $10,000 to Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve, $8,800 to the Island County Historical Society, $8,000 for the Four Springs Lake Preserve and $7,000 to the Whidbey Island Marathon.

The PBY Memorial Foundation received $6,250, and $5,000 or less went to other events put on by organizations like the Coupeville Arts Center, South Whidbey Good Cheer and the Camano Arts Association.

The county’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee consists of seven members. Three members represent the businesses required to collect the tax; three members authorize activities receiving revenues; and one member of the county commissioners.