Clatsop County board approves $100,000 initial TLT distribution to rural fire districts

County staff proposed a $100,000 initial distribution from transient lodging tax (TLT) revenues to rural fire districts and the board approved the approach during its meeting.

Staff described the formula: 27.5 percent would be allocated as a base payment to every qualifying agency and the remainder distributed by call volume. Using 2025 data, staff said the county recorded roughly 3,100 rural calls across the districts. "Some of these are huge numbers for these rural fire agencies," a staff speaker said, noting one district would see about $5,600—roughly 15 percent of that district’s annual budget.

The county will email fire chiefs with figures so districts can program the amounts into next year’s budgets and staff said the distribution is intended to be annual, subject to review. Commissioners asked how many calls are tourism-related versus local; staff replied a new CAD/RMS system should improve data availability, and the board tied the distribution conversation to the pending 911 consolidation and an EMS assessment that will include response-time considerations.

Vice Chair Banks and other commissioners expressed support; one commissioner urged careful examination of how much timber revenue reductions affect county totals and whether the distribution fully offsets local shortfalls. Staff said they will revisit the allocation next year to consider expansion if revenue allows.

The board adopted the staff recommendation to proceed with the $100,000 distribution and to notify fire chiefs so they can reflect the amounts in their budgets.