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Tillamook County is proposing a four percent increase of transient lodging tax (TLT), to be paid by visitors, to help pay for emergency services that visitors need when they are here. Voters will decide on this proposed increase in the May 20 election.
As a Tillamook County commissioner, I urge voters to support this measure. It is fair and appropriate. As you may be aware, the county, the school districts and special districts are reeling financially from loss of timber revenue. We need to generate new sources of revenue in order to continue providing the services that our community and our visitors depend upon. Raising TLT by four percent will help stabilize the budget to maintain current service levels in the sheriff’s office and the emergency management department. It will not be paid by Tillamook County citizens.
The majority of people we’ve talked to have been supportive of raising TLT by four percent, other than some (but not all) short term rental (STR) and lodging owners and operators, who are naturally worried about their bottom lines. We understand that. The tourism industry is essential to the local economy. We support our tourism-based businesses and want them to be strong and successful. That said, STR and lodging owners and operators will not pay the tax increase, if approved by voters. Visitors will.
There is no reason to believe that visitors will decide not to come to Tillamook County if the TLT rate is 14 percent rather than 10 percent. Most visitors are unlikely to notice or be aware of a four percent increase. If they do compare tax rates, they will find that tourist destinations in Clatsop and Lincoln counties are at 12 percent.
The Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association (ORLA) has come out in opposition to Measure 29-183. ORLA is a Wilsonville-based lobbying organization that represents largely urban hotels and restaurants. They have a few members in Tillamook County. I don’t fault them for advocating for their members. I absolutely do fault them for publishing deliberately misleading and spurious information to try to influence a local election. Apparently ORLA thinks that Tillamook County voters aren’t smart enough to see through their transparent manipulations. I trust local voters to recognize that a four percent increase is good for our community and fair to the visitors who will pay it.
Thank you for voting yes on Measure 29-183.
Mary Faith Bell
Tillamook County Commissioner
