Oregon Public Broadcasting

The Cannon Beach City Council passed a measure Tuesday increasing a lodging tax on tourists. The measure raises the levy from 6 to 7 percent.

It also establishes a Tourism and Arts Commission meant to attract more visitors to the seaside town.

The newly formed commission will provide funding to local arts organizations. 

Some on the council expressed concern that increasing the tax on visitors might discourage tourism.  But City Manager Richard Mays points out even with the 1 percent increase, the city’s lodging tax is still lower than many of the other tourist destinations along the coast.

Richard Mays: "We’re optimistic that people will still come here and their experience in Cannon Beach will be even more enhanced to the extent that these organizations will be better funded."

The city is projecting the increase to bring in an additional $300,000 each year.  Seventy percent of that will go to the planned arts and tourism commission; the rest will go into the city’s general fund.