Budget committee keeps Rock the Locks funding in transient room tax budget while public comment and studies continue

The Umatilla Budget Committee on April 15 approved the city—s proposed budget that includes a large allocation in the transient room tax (TRT) fund tied to the Rock the Locks music festival, but committee members and members of the public pressed for more analysis and a July policy decision by the city council before committing longer-term funds.

Chair Bruce McLean opened the budget discussion and city staff described why a portion of TRT revenue has been included in the FY2025-26 proposed budget. City staff said the consultants Jensen Strategies recommended carrying a portion of the 2026 festival costs forward in the budget so the city can make deposits and contractual commitments if the festival proceeds; if council later decides not to continue the festival, staff said council can reappropriate those funds by resolution.

Why it matters: Rock the Locks is the single largest discretionary event the city supports and has drawn both strong public support for its economic and community benefits and repeated neighborhood complaints over noise and impacts. Budgeting the TRT amount now preserves the city—s options but leaves a policy choice to the council in July when consultant reports and public input are complete.

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