Tillamook County commissioners send 10%→14% transient lodging tax increase to voters

The Tillamook County Board of Commissioners voted Feb. 19 to place an amendment to Ordinance 74 on the ballot that would increase the county’s transient lodging tax from 10% to 14%.

Chief Administrative Officer Rachel Hegarty told the board the measure follows ‘‘a several month long process’’ including two town halls and two public hearings and that the order on the table sets the ballot title, noticing requirements and the summary that will appear to voters.

The ordinance change matters because the county and its supporters say lodging taxes pay for visitor-related expenses and local services that are otherwise underfunded. Commissioners described the action as sending the question to voters rather than imposing a tax themselves.

Public comment at the meeting included objections from residents and business owners who said the tax could reduce visitor spending and unfairly burden small property owners. April Bailey of Muskegon, Oregon, told commissioners she appreciated prior accommodations but asked the board to ‘‘rescind that and not pass it on to voters at this time.’’ She argued the measure could cause ‘‘a lot of money lost to these local businesses’’ if visitors cut back on purchases.

Janice Laviolette of North County echoed concerns about impacts on short-term rental operations and said the county should pursue legislative changes to how lodging tax dollars are allocated rather than increasing local rates now. ‘‘I would really like to see support of what’s going on in the legislature to get more of an equitable division,’’ she said, referring to state-level proposals to change the distribution of lodging-tax revenue.

Commissioners said the board had heard public input and made adjustments during the process, and they repeatedly framed the Feb. 19 vote as asking the electorate to decide. One commissioner summarized the approach: ‘‘We’re deciding to ask the voters to decide. We’re not deciding to raise the tax.’’ Several commissioners said they preferred a state-level change shifting the allocation split (currently described in local discussion as a 70/30 split) toward a 50/50 model, but expressed skepticism that the Legislature will act this session.

The board approved an order (No. 25-013) calling a measure election to submit the amendment to Ordinance 74 — increasing the transient lodging tax from 10% to 14% — to county voters. The motion passed by voice vote; the meeting record shows ‘‘Aye’’ responses and the chair announcing ‘‘Motion carries’’ but does not record a roll-call tally in the minutes.

What happens next: the county will publish the official ballot title and required notices and place the question on the next available county ballot according to the schedule in the order. If approved by voters, the higher rate would take effect as provided in the ordinance and implementing procedures. If rejected, the current rate remains in place.

Editors’ note: Commissioners and staff referenced ongoing state-level discussions about how lodging tax revenue is divided. That policy debate — which several local speakers urged the public to address with state lawmakers and industry groups — is separate from the county’s choice to ask voters whether to raise the local lodging tax.