The proposed increase to the Transient Lodging Tax from 10% to 14% is appropriate, and necessary to retain and support critical County services. This proposal has the support of AFSCME Local 2734–Tillamook County Employees Union.
The proposed increase of 4% over time would go toward supporting the Sheriff’s Office and emergency communications services. This, in turn, eases the pressure on the County General Fund, which also employs +/- 34% of our Union local. These workers provide crucial legal, electoral, taxation, permitting, Veteran and Victim advocacy and support, and Short-Term Rental administration services to residents, visitors, and business owners alike.
We reject the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association’s unacceptable proposed solution to re-allocate the 30% of the TLT currently dedicated to our County Road Department, which funds the salaries of +/- 15% of our Union local. These workers maintain over 200 miles of roadways and bridges–the infrastructural conduit for tourism and all other industries that benefit from operating in our County.
Our County Parks Department, whose operating costs are partially funded by the TLT, employs +/-8% of our Union local, who provide hospitality and recreation services in our County Campgrounds. This is a service in high-demand in an international tourism destination like Tillamook County.
Combined, these workers represent just shy of 60% of our Union local, and we believe our jobs have value–cuts to services benefit no one in this equation.
Simply put, services rendered must equate to services paid, and a small increase borne by the customer is fair.
When workers feel valued and secure in our jobs and supported by the public we serve, we are able to focus on providing quality services without the looming threat of job insecurity. Thus, what is good for Tillamook County workers is in turn good for Tillamook County. A vote for this increase is a vote of support for Tillamook County Union workers–both Tillamook County AFSCME Local 2734 and our Union siblings in the Sheriff’s Department Teamsters Local 223.
A vote for this increase is a vote to keep layoffs off the table because Tillamook County works when we do!
Vote YES on County Measure 29-183 today!
Thank you,
Local 2734–Tillamook County Employees Union
American Federation of State, County, And Municipal Employees
