THE OCEANSIDER: Opening Rounds in Battle over Proposed TLT Hike — Only Hearings on Measure Scheduled for Wednesday Jan. 29th

By Jerry Keene, Editor, The Oceansider

By now, nearly everyone paying attention knows that Tillamook County revenues have been hit hard in recent years as state and federal authorities have scaled back timber harvests to meet environmental standards. Cost-cutting has not been easy, and the impact on funding for patrol officers was a notable flashpoint in last year’s budget talks. In response, the County Commissioners are considering a proposal to raise the Transient Lodging Tax (TLT) that short term rentals collect from visitors from 10% to 15% (based on the lodging fee). Although the tax will continue to be paid by visitors, and not STRs themselves, a number of STR owners and operators voiced opposition to the tax hike in county-sponsored Town Halls earlier this month. They argued that the increased cost to their customers will discourage or shorten their stays or even drive visitors elsewhere. They also note that STRs were already hit hard economically by the STR caps and restrictions enacted in 2023.

Tracking where the additional revenue will go is a mathematical challenge. First, the ordinance provides that the incorporated cities, such as Manzanita and Rockaway, will retain all of the new TLT generated by their STRs. This means that all of the county’s new revenue will come from STRs in unincorporated communities like Oceanside. Secondly, state law requires that 70% of the county’s new revenue be reserved for tourism promotions and tourism-related facilities. That leaves 30% of the county’s new revenue unrestricted. Of that amount, the ballot measure proposes that 80% will be spent to stabilize Sheriff’s Office staff funding (but not add new positions) and 20% will be dedicated to county emergency communications and operations. General information about the TLT measure and the public hearings may be found here. Tillamook County TLT Webpage

The Commissioners hope to place the measure on the ballot in the upcoming May 20, 2025, Primary Election. To meet election deadlines, both of the planned hearings on the measure will take place this Wednesday, January 29 – at 10 a.m. (at the County Courthouse) and 5:30 p.m. (at the Port of Tillamook Bay offices). To attend virtually, click on this Link for Remote Attendance.

As background, here is a chart reflecting County TLT Revenues by Community 2014-2022 and a county report reflecting TLT revenue generated by the 109 STRs in Oceanside’s core “Village” over the past 3 years: Oceanside Village TLT 2021-2024

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February 1             Oceanside Neighborhood Association Regular Meeting
Oceanside Community Hall  – 10-11:30 a.m.
Attend in person or by Zoom

February 3             Oceanside Community Club Potluck – 6 p.m.
Oceanside Community Hall

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And that’s the view from Oceanside!

jerrykeene@oceansidernews.com