That’s what the Marysville City Council learned at its meeting April 25.

Amy Spain of the Snohomish County Tourism Bureau said that industry brought in $993 million in the last year, up 5.7 percent. However, she said since the state office closed in 2011, the state is losing its market share.

To compare, Idaho spends $7 million on marketing tourism. Montana and Oregon spend $12 million each.

She said tourism officials are asking to start up the state bureau again with a budget of $7.5 million. “It gets us in the game,” she said.

She said tourism is important for the economy, bringing in money for hotels, restaurants, retail stores, transportation and attractions. It provides the county with 10,340 jobs with a payroll of $256.4 million, bringing in almost $31.2 million in local taxes.

Overnight stays bring in more money, so the bureau is marketing the county as a meeting and event destination for things such as the Angel of the Wind casino and Seattle Premium Outlets. The county also operates a kiosk at the Tulalip Resort Casino so visitors can get more information on things to do here.

Sporting events, such as the use of fields in Marysville for tournaments, bring $35.6 million into the county.

Statewide, tourism brings in $19.5 billion a year.

Also at the meeting:

•Planning Director Dave Koenig said a 90-bed, five-story Hilton hotel is being planned across the street from Winco, which would be the “tallest building in the city.” He also said a Hobby Lobby, Outback Steakhouse and Bonefish Grill are on the way, and the roundabout at 172nd would soon be finished.

•Police officer Dan Vincent received his 10-year pin from Cmdr. Jeff Goldman, who called him one of the top 5 percent performers on the force. The certified firearms instructor also is personable, wearing a Santa hat at Christmas and cooking at squad parties. “His halibut is off the hook,” Goldman said.

•Chief Administrative Officer Gloria Hirashima said the county will decide by May 11 if it will put a criminal justice sales and use tax on the ballot in August. It would be 1/10th of 1 percent. Forty percent would go to the cities. If that happens, she and Nehring mentioned Marysville might want to have its own 1/10th of 1 percent tax for the same cause, so it could receive 85 percent of that money. Hirashima said that money could at least partially fund a new jail. Council member Jeff Siebert said he would like to see voters decide something like that. The council put that item on an upcoming agenda.

•Mayor Jon Nehring presented Barbara Arocha with the Volunteer of the Month award. She devotes time and resources volunteering with the Marysville School District, helping wherever needed with the Parent Teacher Student Association. She transports special needs children and also is a senior project advisor at Arts and Tech High School. She also volunteers with the Marysville Community Lunch program.

•Nehring and Police Chief Rick Smith said conversations could start soon on possibly combining Snohomish County’s two dispatch systems – SNOPAC and SNOCOM – which could save taxpayers money.

•Public Works Director Kevin Nielsen said mowing has started early because of the warm weather.

The council also:

•OK’d Davis Shows NW to have carnival rides, games and concessions May 5-8 at the Honda of Marysville, 15714 Smokey Point Blvd.

•OK’d Honda of Marysville’s $5,500 donation to install a new sound system at the Marysville Opera House.

•OK’d Burlington Northern Sante Fe’s $4,200 donation for the Summer Concert Series.

•OK’d Jeffrey and Karen Pickard to continue as caretakers of the Deering Wildflower Acres Park for five more years. They already have been doing the job for more than 10.