County opens public hearing on proposed increase of transient lodging tax to 15%; hearing continued for evening and Feb. 12

The Tillamook County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 29 opened the first public hearing on a proposed third amendment to Ordinance 74 that would raise the county transient lodging tax (TLT) from 10 percent to 15 percent and reallocate revenues from the additional 5 percent.

Rachel Hegarty, the county chief of staff, gave the staff report. She said state law and the county's existing ordinances govern TLT administration and noted the county is considering the change as a revenue diversification measure subject to voter approval. Hegarty described the proposal as separating the original 10 percent (to preserve the distribution voters previously approved) and dedicating the new additional 5 percent for other county needs.

Under the draft language presented, the first 10 percent remains unchanged: 70 percent to tourism promotion and tourism‑related facilities and 30 percent to general fund administration and public works (consistent with the current ordinance). For the remaining new 5 percent, staff proposed the same 70/30 split applied within the new money, with the 30 percent portion of the new money divided as: 80 percent to the Sheriff’s Office for public safety services, 10 percent to the county communications department for maintenance of the radio/emergency communications system, and 10 percent to the Emergency Management Department.

Hegarty told the board the revenue directed to radio systems is intended for ongoing maintenance and not for construction of the new system funded by a separate radio bond. She also reviewed timeline steps: additional public hearings (including an evening hearing at the Port of Tillamook Bay) and a final hearing on Feb. 12; if the board places the measure on the May ballot and voters approve it, the current draft contemplates an effective date of July 1, 2025.

Public comment was opened. Three speakers provided in‑person or teleconference remarks Jan. 29. Annie Bishop, a Tillamook resident and short‑term rental owner, opposed the increase and urged the board not to raise the additional 5 percent, noting operators already pay multiple fees and expressing concern about cumulative costs. Jillian McCorrigan asked how increased taxation would generate more revenue given her view that short‑term lodging use has declined. Jerry Keene (Oceanside) said opponents claim competitive harm but he had not seen comparative data demonstrating how local total lodging costs would compare to neighboring counties; he suggested that data would be helpful.

The board did not deliberate the ordinance amendment at the Jan. 29 hearing and continued the public hearing to an evening session at 5:30 p.m. at the Port of Tillamook Bay and to a final hearing Feb. 12 at 10 a.m. Commissioners said written comments submitted to the county are part of the public record and encouraged speakers not to repeat written testimony at the hearing. The county cited Oregon statutes and its local ordinances as the legal framework; staff referenced Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) regarding TLT authority and the county's Ordinances 74 and 75 as the local implementing rules.

No vote or ordinance adoption occurred on Jan. 29; the hearing remains open for additional public comment and will reconvene for deliberation at the scheduled future dates.