Transient Lodging Tax Committee Minutes
October 19, 2023
Baker County Commission Chambers
Tyler called the meeting to order at 9:00 am.
Members Present: Tyler Brown, Brian Vegter, Mandy Clark, and Matthew Koppenhaver
Guests Present: Devon Colton, Bryan Tweit, Jessica Hobson, Dylan Smith, Nic Carman, Lisa Paulson, Kim Mosier, and Shelly Christensen
Approve Agenda: Brian moved to approve the agenda with the removal of agenda item; Peter Johnson – TLT rate increase request. Matthew seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Approve Minutes: Meeting minutes from September 21st were reviewed. Brian moved to approve minutes. Matthew seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Tourism Related Facility - Baker County Counsel, Kim Mosier
By statute, 70% of lodging tax revenue is to be used for Tourism Promotion or Tourism Related Facilities. Kim suggested the Committee update the existing ordinance to make use of funds for a tourism related facility more clear. She also summarized the Attorney General’s 2008 opinion of a tourism related facility. She provided three categories for tourism related facility testing; the facility must hold events that draw tourists to Baker County, the facility itself draws tourists to Baker County (i.e. a museum), or a visitor center that disseminates information to tourists. Demographics and visitor numbers need to be provided, by the requestor, to prove they are a tourism related facility. Kim volunteered to develop a written guide outlining the Attorney General’s opinion for Committee use in considering proposals.
Tourism Marketing Update – Jessica Hobson
Jessica presented her October report, which included Facebook likes, social media posts, upcoming events and meetings that she has attended. OLRA will be coming to Baker City for their Eastern Oregon Regional Conference in the spring of 2024. She will be coordinating with them and working to get restaurants and lodging partners to attend. Jessica asked the Committee to write an employer commitment letter so she can apply to the Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy (OTLA) in 2024. Brian moved to approve funding the OTLA tuition for Jessica, Mandy seconded the motion. Motion carried. Jessica was asked by the County Commissioners to attend the Association of Oregon Counties conference on November 16th. She is collecting merchandise from local businesses to share at the conference. NHOTIC has announced their re-opening on May 24, 2024. Jessica is creating a reel to promote the re-opening. There was discussion relating to printing additional copies of the existing 2023-2024 Visitors Guide and content of the year-end report. The Committee reviewed the Blockbuster Event application with the criteria that was set at the September meeting.
EDC Update: Bryan Tweit
Bryan reported he met with ORLA in preparation of the Oregon Mayor’s Association Conference to be held in Baker City. He is working on bylaws and a grant program for EDC. He recommended the Committee refer grant requestors to EDC if their request is not tourism related.
Visitor Services Update – Devon Colton
Devon presented her September 2023 report and financial reports to Committee members, which included visitor data, visitor demographics and the top three visitor staff projects for the month. Data revealed an increase in overnight stays for the month of September; Devon attributes that to retired travelers. The Chamber is accepting Christmas parade applications and helping downtown get their events out. Devon gave an update on gift shop sales and her efforts to market Ag tourism.
Community Partners Update
Crossroads Art Center – Ginger Savage submitted her Towards Home update.
Financial Reports: Shelly Christensen
Shelly provided the Committee with financial reports for the current fiscal year. To date, July 2024 revenue of $109,399 is over July 2017 revenue of $109,001. There was discussion about notifying online intermediaries what revenue is exempt from lodging tax. Shelly will send a copy of the ordinance highlighting tax calculation information when next quarter reports are received.
Citizen Participation:
Nic Carman reported an uptick at the golf course in July/August. Dylan Smith reported there are conversations about improvements to the parking lot at Anthony Lakes Ski Resort. Experiences of Taste of Baker were shared.
Staff Comments:
Shelly provided the Committee with a copy of a volunteer application received from Chelsea Blatchford to fill an at-large position on the Committee. After review, Brian moved to recommend to the Baker County Board of Commissioners the appointment of Chelsea Blatchford to the TLTC, Mandy seconded the motion. Motion carried. Shelly will submit their recommendation to the Commissioners for appointment.
Committee Comments:
Brian shared upcoming performers and 120 people attended opening weekend of the haunted studio.
Tyler reported live music at Barley Brown’s on Friday and next week. They have had a good summer.
Mandy shared the Baker County Fair Board has invited the rodeo community to make suggestions for improvements to the fairgrounds.
Matthew reported fuel prices have held steady and they are seeing more visitors migrating south.
Next Meeting:
November 21st, 2023 @ 9:00 am
Meeting adjourned at 11:12 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted: Shelly Christensen