Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Cannon Beach gazette. (Cannon Beach, Or.) 1977-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 10, 2018)
6A • August 10, 2018 | Cannon Beach Gazette | cannonbeachgazette.com Board of commissioners backs lodging tax for jails Tax for county jail operations By Edward Stratton The Daily Astorian The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners on Wednes- day approved a 1 percent lodging tax to help pay for jail operations, despite concerted opposition from the lodging and tourism industries. The new tax, which will take effect in January, will generate an estimated $1.4 million annually in revenue for the county and cities. By state law, 70 percent must be spent on tourism promotion, while 30 percent — an estimated $420,000 — can be used for jail operations. The county already imposes a 9.5 percent lodging tax in unincorporated areas, in addition to state and city taxes. The new tax will apply within and outside city limits. The tax comes in advance of a $20 million bond measure in November to move the Clatsop EDWARD STRATTON/THE DAILY ASTORIAN Signs of protest against a 1 percent lodging tax approved Wednesday by the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners. County Jail from Astoria to the former North Coast Youth Cor- rectional Facility in Warrenton. The vote to impose the tax was 3-1. Scott Lee, the com- mission chairman, and Com- missioners Sarah Nebeker and Lisa Clement voted yes, while Commissioner Lianne Thompson was the lone “no” vote. Commissioner Kathleen Sullivan, who works for the Cannery Pier Hotel, recused herself. Sheriff Tom Bergin has ar- gued that the tax is justified be- cause an estimated 27 percent of jail inmates come from out- side the county. During testimo- ny Wednesday, he referenced several high-profile crimes that have involved hotel guests. “I’ve taken multiple meth labs out of hotels in Gearhart, Seaside, Cannon Beach and Astoria,” he said. Bergin argued that the tax is necessary regardless of wheth- er the jail bond passes, because the county has a need to rent jail beds. He estimated between $800,000 and $1 million a year to rent 30 additional jail beds. The sheriff thinks the lodg- ing tax is a good option to aug- ment the budget. “Minimally, this is not af- fecting their bottom line,” Ber- gin said of the lodging industry. “I’ve talked to some other indi- viduals who are more on board, and they’re more concerned about how that money is going to be transferred to the cities. That’s not really my fight.” Lodging and tourism lead- ers, filling much of the meeting room at the Judge Guy Boying- ton Building on Wednesday, vociferously disagreed with Bergin, arguing the tax would dampen revenue and unfairly targets a single industry that doesn’t capture all visitors. They called on the county to hold off on the tax until after the November bond measure and continue a dialogue with the lodging industry about al- ternatives. David Reid, director of the Astoria-Warrenton Area Cham- ber of Commerce, said tourism is a $500 million industry in Clatsop County and cautioned against vilifying guests. “You cannot simply take $1.4 million from guests and expect them to book quite as many hotel rooms, spend quite as much money on meals, vis- it quite as many attractions and have as much money left to spend at retailers,” he said. “Their money can only stretch so far.” Jason Brandt, CEO of the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association, said lodging taxes suppress the ability to attract tourists. He called it irrespon- sible for the county to pass a lodging tax meant to support tourism without any industry support. The lodging association sued Bend over the city’s use of tourism tax money for road repairs. A judge sided with the association, but the city has ap- pealed the decision. Loretta Maxwell, owner of the Grandview Bed & Break- fast, questioned how many of the out-of-town jail inmates referenced by Bergin stay in rented rooms, calling for an analysis. “I think that you’re flogging a dead horse,” Maxwell said of taxes on the lodging industry. “Our percentages are getting close to the big cities like Los Angeles and New York, and we’re not them.” The argument of waiting un- til after the November vote on the jail bond was compelling to Thompson, who said the coun- ty should continue the conver- sation about alternatives and look at taxing other segments of the tourism industry, such as food and beverages, in order to capture the impact of visitors not renting rooms. County Manager Cameron Moore said the commission could reconsider after the vote because the tax will not take ef- fect until January. “It gives you the option to rethink this if the jail bond is unsuccessful,” he said. Councilors say county tax on lodging is ill-advised Tax from Page 1A Developers step back from a proposed RV park near Arcadia Beach. Arch Cape landowner decides to drop Arcadia Beach RV plan RV Park from Page 1A Now, Smejkal is looking to sell. “Mechanically, it just didn’t fit,” Waggoner said. “We would have had to build 1,000 feet of roadway for 15 or 20 units.” Smejkal has faced road- blocks to development since he acquired the land in 2002 through a trade with the Or- egon Parks and Recreation Department. In 2009, Smejkal tried to develop the property as housing, which was ultimately denied by the Clatsop County Planning Commission. The RV park also encoun- tered vocal local pushback. Arch Cape residents and envi- ronmental groups raised con- cerns in September at a public hearing about adding traffic to an already populated stretch of Highway 101, threats to water quality with sewer in- frastructure butting up against nearby streams and the prop- ‘IT GOT TO BE A VERY ELABORATE PROCESS FOR A SMALL PARCEL OF LAND.’ Leonard Waggoner, Smejkal’s development consultant erty’s proximity to threatened marbled murrelet habitat. Although county planners were concerned with the crit- icism, Waggoner said, com- munity concerns did not sway Smejkal’s decision to sell. “There were a lot of things not desirable with this land from a development stand- point,” Waggoner said. “It got to be a very elaborate process for a small parcel of land.” Now that the property is off the table for development, the North Coast Land Conser- vancy has shown interest in bringing what was once state parkland back into conserva- tion. Katie Voelke, the land con- servancy’s executive director, said in an email that the prop- erty has conservation value, including the connection to the state park and beach and a forest with legacy spruce and cedar that provides nesting habitat for the marbled mur- relet. While Waggoner said he has had conversations with the land conservancy, no offer has been made and a price has yet to be set. The price will be deter- mined by an Oregon Depart- ment of Transportation for- ester who will survey the land for timber value. Waggoner said that if Smejkal can’t find a buyer, they will start the pro- cess to rezone the land to al- low harvesting the timber. “If an environmental group wants it, we see that as the best use,” Waggoner said. mostly impact visitors from outside the county, who Sheriff Tom Bergin claims make up 27 percent of the inmate population. City Councilor George Vetter said adding a county tax is another “bureaucratic burden” to hotels and rental companies, which already have to report separate taxes on the city and state level. Others, like City Coun- cilor Mike Benefield, took issue with the county hand- ing the city restricted tourism promotion dollars it may not necessarily want. By state law, only 30 per- cent of the new tax — about $420,000 of the $1.4 million estimated to be brought in annually — can be used for jail operations. The other 70 percent must be used for tourism promotion. The tourism promotion portion of the revenue col- lected from businesses with- in city limits will be returned to cities to use how they see fit, Steele said. The new tax will raise the Cannon Beach lodging tax from 8 to 9 per- cent and is estimated to raise $380,000 in revenue a quar- ter for the city. “I don’t want more pro- motion. I don’t want more advertising. You can take back (to the county commis- sion) at least one councilor is not at all happy about this,” Benefield told Steele. If the tax has to stay, Benefield suggested the county work with the state to broaden the definition of a tourism-related facility in state law so the money could support a variety of city functions. “Have the county sup- port that notion … then I wouldn’t be quite as opposed to you throwing money at us and telling us how to spend it,” he said. Councilors did discuss a possible appeal of the county’s decision, but was advised against it by City Attorney Ashley Driscoll, who said appealing a tax the county has the right to im- plement would be “an uphill legal battle.” Instead, the City Council agreed to send a letter to the county outlining concerns with the tax hike, including a request to repeal it regardless of whether the bond passes. “We’re not appreciative of the way the (county) went about this,” Steidel said. Five out of the top Ten Brokers in Sales volume in the Clatsop Multiple Listing Service in 2017 were Windermere Brokers. Put Windermere to work for you. NEW LISTING NEW PRICE EXTRAORDINARY ARCHITECHURAL GEM 715 Oak St., Cannon Beach BEACH HOME & RENTAL INCOME RANCH STYLE HOME 1976 Pine Ridge Rd., Gearhart 970 S. Edgewood, Seaside Located steps away from Chapman Point, the most stunning beach in the most desirable beach community, this superb ocean view home was designed and built by the best artisans with the finest materials. It i s also steps away from the trails of beautiful Ecola State Park. Ideally located between the Necanicum River and the beach, this home offers the versatility of owning a beach home with a rental income in the secondary unit. EZ yard maintenance and close to downtown shopping and Seaside attractions. Make it yours today! CMLS#18-664 $1,599,999 Tina Chapman 503-440-9957 CMLS#18-1146 $475,000 Pam Ackley 503-717-3796 NEW PRICE NEW INVESTMENT Ranch style home located in Gearhart, meticulously maintained, 3 bedrooms plus office space, fenced front patio, beautifully landscaped, 20 x 24 shop/studio, back yard borders Neacoxie Creek and looks out over the Gearhart Golf Course. CMLS#18-618 $449,000 Barbara Maltman 503-717-2154 NEW PRICE GREAT LOCATION! LODGES AT CANNON BEACH OCEAN & FOREST RETREAT 160 E. Siuslaw St. #3, Cannon Beach 132 E Surfcrest Ave., Cannon Beach 79209 Ray Brown Rd., Arch Cape 3 Bedroom, 3 Bathroom condo with 3 fireplaces and a carport. Zoned to allow nightly Vacation Rental, no special permit needed -- or use as your private get-away. New carpet & vinyl. Comes completely furnished ‘’turn-key’’ with Washer & Dryer too. CMLS#16-1644 $268,000 Dana Weston 503-738-2839 Craig Weston 503-738-2838 The Lodges allow nightly rentals with excellent man- agement. Fully furnished 2 BR 2 BA townhouse with gourmet kitchen & fireplaces. 1/12 share factional ownership. Call for pricing. CMLS#18-1002 Starting at $75,000 Steve Crane 503-440-6310 From the moment you enter, you are surrounded by all of nature’s wonders, the hypnotic sea, whispering trees. The sound and fury of civilization vanishes. CMLS#18-464 $625,000 Kate Merrell 503-739-2324 LOOKING FOR AN INVESTMENT? 132 Surfcrest D-2, Cannon Beach PRESIDENTIAL AREA OPPORTUNITY! 163 W. Washington St., Cannon Beach NEW PRICE That’s a COZY COTTAGE AMBIANCE 307 Sunset Blvd., Cannon Beach relief Midtown location just 2 blocks to ocean. Private oasis backyard includes woods on 3 times a standard lot size. One Third Acre! Detached garage w/guest house. Spacious and one-of-a-kind! FOR DETAILS CALL 1-800-784-9541 x700. CMLS#18-777 $779,900 Jackie Weber 503-440-2331 Elegant and cozy craftsman style townhouses, fully furnished with gourmet kitchen, two fireplaces, close to the beach, restaurant, bakery and markets. The Lodges allow nightly rentals with excellent management by the Inn at Cannon Beach. Unique reverse floor plan maximizes lovely ocean views from upper open concept spaces. Quality custom home with river rock fireplace and large windows to enjoy mountain & beach views. Quartz & custom tile work throughout. A MUST SEE! CMLS#17-1686 $579,000 Karen Meili 503-440-5806 CMLS#18-210 $1,388,000 Jackie Weber 503-440-2331 Tina Chapman 503-440-9957 PERFECT BEACH HOUSE 80105 Pacific Rd., Arch Cape CLASSIC ENGLISH CRAFTSMAN 1481 S Prom, Seaside NEW LISTING MOVE IN READY! 1654 Laurel Dr., Seaside We can help you find better ways of dealing with chronic pain. Wonderful ranch-style home that is situated upon .51 of an acre lot. Three bedrooms, two full baths, office/ den 1,735 sq.ft. Hardwood flooring, gas fireplace and vaulted ceilings. Located close to shopping, recreation, and ocean beaches! CMLS#18-1118 $399,950 Kristen Benton 503-741-0262 Creating health together. colpachealth.org M @columbiapacificcco CANNON BEACH OFFICE A CareOregon Company 255 N. Hemlock, Ste. B1 Cannon Beach, OR 97110 800/676-1176 • 503/436-1027 This home is a short hop and skip to the sea’s edge and has sweeping views from it’s soaring windows. Relax in it’s comfortable spaces and at the end of the days snuggle before the 2 fireplaces. This is your slice of beach heaven in the perfect location. CMLS#18-713 $645,000 Kate Merrell 503-739-2324 FACEBOOK.COM/WINDERMERECOAST/ INSTAGRAM.COM/WINDERMEREOREGONCOAST/ TWITTER.COM/COASTWINDERMERE Extraordinary remodel of vintage 1928 home located on Seaside’s Prom. Impeccable attention to detail of owner’s design highlights this era. CMLS#17-881 $2,199,000 Pam Ackley 503-717-3796 Christy Chaloux Coulombe 503-724-2400 GEARHART OFFICE 588 Pacific Way Gearhart, OR 97138 800/275-7773 • 503/738-8522 Serving the Entire North Oregon Coast
