Transient Lodging Tax (Tlt) For Destination Management

OVERVIEW

In November 2013, Tillamook County voters approved a county-wide transient lodging tax (TLT), which became effective January 1, 2014. The Tillamook County Board of Commissioners (BOC) is responsible for the distribution of the County’s TLT funds for tourism-related promotion and facilities. 

The allocation, use, and disbursement of TLT funds shall be consistent with ORS 320.300 to 320.350, County Ordinance #74, County Ordinance #75, any ordinance amendments, and the Policy for the Distribution of Transient Lodging Tax Funds for Destination Management, which was adopted on December 4, 2019 and amended on February 26, 2020. Through the policy, the BOC created the Tourism-Related Facilities County Grant Program and the Tourism-Related Facilities Community Grant Program.

Ordinance #74 provides that 70% of the net TLT funds be used to fund tourism promotion or tourism-related facilities; finance or refinance the debt of tourism-related facilities; and pay reasonable administrative costs incurred in financing. Except for the cost of tax collection and administration, the 30% balance is dedicated to the maintenance of County roads. An overview of the flow of funds is found in the TLT White Paper as depicted above.

STRATEGIC VISION AND ACTION PLAN

In July 2019, following an extensive stakeholder and community review and engagement process, the County adopted the Strategic Vision and Action Plan for Tourism-Related Facilities Investments Services. For additional information on the County's strategic plan and process, please visit the project website at https://lab.future-iq.com/tillamook-tourism-investment-strategic-action-.... This plan identifies six key priorities to guide the County’s TLT investments:

• Invest in infrastructure that helps the community support the tourism sector.
• Protect highly sensitive ecological areas from the impacts of tourism across Tillamook County.
• Invest in infrastructure and the tools to manage the impact of tourism to avoid congestion and overuse of areas.
• Improve the tourism products and associated infrastructure (e.g.: trails, parking, signage).
• Educate visitors to be respectful and good stewards of the natural and recreation resource.
• Build collaboration within and outside the County to support coordination, solutions, and management of the tourism industry.

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVE COMMUNITY GRANT AWARDS  NEW

PAST PROJECT AWARDS

VISIT TILLAMOOK COAST (Tillamook County's official tourism promotion site)

Tillamook Coast Tourism 2025 Report (September 2014)

Tillamook Coast Asset Mapping Report (June 2014)