By Jerry Keene, Editor
The Oceansider
The Oceansider
The Village found itself the subject of several news stories this week, all of which focused on ways that some hope to generate more revenue from our tourists.
County Commissioner Proposes a Parking Structure in Oceanside
Paul Fournier, a former Oceansider, began his first term as a County Commissioner this week. In a recent interview, Fournier expanded on his campaign pledge to seek new revenue sources for the county. Among other “revenue generating ideas,” the article stated that Fournier “proposes to build a paid parking structure in Oceanside.” The article provided no details as to size or location, but The Oceansider has invited Commissioner Fournier to elaborate in an interview.
House on the Hill Developer Will Continue Effort to Seek Approval
Last summer, a consortium of investors sought county approval for a plan to replace the dilapidated House on the Hill hotel (also known as the Clifftop Inn) with a 24-unit luxury hotel and spa. Portland news station KOIN featured an article about the proposal this week. In August 2024, the county issued a formal response requiring the developer to provide additional details on a number of approval criteria. The letter allowed 180 days (until late February 2025) to respond. This week, The Oceansider contacted the group’s spokesman Nile Hagen for an update on their plans. Hagen informed us that the group intends to supplement their application with the requested information by the deadline and agreed to provide us with further details at that time.
County Proposes 50% Increase in Tourist Tax Collected by STRs
The county has signaled that it will ask voters to approve a hike in the countywide transient lodging tax (“TLT”) collected by short term rentals and hotels from their visitors. The current rate of 10% would be increased to 15%. Oceanside is home to 149 such STRs (109 of which are in the core “Village”). They currently collect and send more than $500,000 a year in TLT revenue to the county (an amount second only to Pacific City). This would rise to more than $750,000 a year. The additional revenue would be earmarked primarily for additional tourism-related facilities and to stabilize funding for personnel at the Sheriff’s Office. The Board of County Commissioners will hold a series of public meetings and hearings to discuss this proposal. Some are directed to STR owners, while the rest seek input from the general public. The meeting dates and locations are listed in this Public Letter distributed by Commissioner Mary Faith Bell.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
February 1 Oceanside Neighborhood Association Regular Meeting
Oceanside Community Hall – 10-11:30 a.m.
Oceanside Community Hall – 10-11:30 a.m.
February 3 Oceanside Community Club Potluck – 6 p.m.
Live Meeting and by Zoom
Oceanside Community Hall
And that’s the view from Oceanside!
jerrykeene@oceansidernews.com
