Pacific City
SUN
PCNV Chamber, PCDA seeking sponsors for 2025 Dory Days .........................4 Variety of community activities featured in the Sun’s calendar of events..................... 6
Science on Tap event to feature Sea Otter Trivia
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Cello/guitar duo to play Feb. 23 Neskowin Chamber Music concert........... 7 PLEASE TAKE ONE
Vol. 19, No. 465 • February 7, 2025
Proposed TLT increase changed to 2% in ‘25, another 2% in ‘26 By TIM HIRSCH of the Sun
Blanketed in White
Residents were faced with travel challenges — but beautiful scenery — after the area was blanketed with snow in early February CAC to discuss range of issues at Feb. 8 quarterly meeting The Pacific City-Woods Citizen Advisory Committee will discuss a range of issues including the proposed TLT increase, flood plain development and the FEMA Biological Opinion, and more at its next quarterly meeting, Saturday, Feb. 8, 10 a.m., at Kiawanda Community Center. Also on the agenda are discussions on potential zoning updates to “medium” housing — include single-family dwellings, ADUs, duplexes, triplexes and townhomes; Oregon Dept. of Aviation’s safety concerns regarding the Pacific City State Airport; the lifting of the short-term rental cap west of the Nestucca River; and code compliance and enforcement. The featured presenter will be Sarah Absher, director of Tillamook County Community Development. Those unable to attend in person can join the meeting virtually by visiting https://zoom.us/j/94476346110. For more information about the CAC, visit pcwoodscac.org.
Friends of Netarts Bay WEBS debuts new program to its lineup highlighting local Community Science projects During this virtual event, guests will learn about different research projects, how volunteers are helping with data collection, and the outcomes from these efforts. “Participants will hear about five community science projects happening in and around Netarts Bay that are enhancing our understanding of the local environment through collaborative, participatory efforts” says Marina Dreeben, stewardship coordinator for WEBS. “We hope anyone interested in getting involved and learning about the impacts of this work will join us to hear from the leaders of these projects.” “We have been eager to have the opportunity to share with the community the outcomes of different community science projects and the ways our volunteers and other local residents are working together to grow a stronger understanding of this amazing ecosystem,” added WEBS Director Chrissy Smith. Open to current volunteers and the general public, this event is for those curious to learn about new findings; involved in community science in the Netarts Bay area and want to learn about
HAPPY HOUR
$5
the impact of their work; have never heard of community science but want to learn about new ways to support the ecological health of their area; or want to know what’s new with the birds and marine debris locally and along the Oregon Coast. Those sharing at the event include representatives leading community science projects such as NOAA Marine Debris Mapping Project, Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST) Beached Bird Survey, Bird Alliance of Oregon Snowy Plover Patrol, Bird Alliance of Oregon Black Oystercatcher Monitoring, and the USFWS Seabird Productivity Monitoring Project. WEBS just launched a new page on their website to help connect individuals to different community science projects. Those interested can find out more by visiting netartsbaywebs.org/communityscience. For more information, visit https:// www.netartsbaywebs.org/events. A Zoom link will be shared after registration. Those with questions or cancellations should email: marina@netartsbaywebs. org.
PINTS
Draft Beer 5.00 Imperial Draft Beer 6.00
EVERY WEEK
SUN-THURS
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Tillamook County Commissioners heard concerns ranging from unaffordability for short-term rental operators to the steepness of the proposed increase at a two-part hearing on Jan. 29 designed to elicit feedback on what was originally a proposed 5 percent increase (to 15 percent) of the county’s transient lodging tax. Commissioners started the hearing at 10 a.m. at the Tillamook County Courthouse, and the hearing was continued at 5:30 p.m. that evening at the Port of Tillamook Bay. In an update to the proposal posted to the county’s website on Feb. 6, the 5 percent increase was changed to two incremental 2 percent increases — the first would be effective Sept. 1, 2025, and the second, would be imposed starting July 1, 2026. Incorporated cities in the county will continue to get a full credit against the county tax, less 1 percent. The 9 percent credit they are currently entitled to would go up to 11 percent on Sept. 1, 2025, and 13 percent on July 1, 2026. Commissioners are scheduled to take up the topic again on Feb. 12 at 10 a.m. It will need to be approved by the Board in order to be put on the May ballot. The proposed increase would not change where the 10 percent currently being collected would be spent. Assuming the Oregon legislature does not change the current 70/30 split, 70 percent would continue being spent on tourism marketing and facilities and 30 percent for maintenance on Tillamook County roads. That said, the additional tax that’s under consideration would go towards a number of county needs: 80 percent to the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Department, 10 percent towards maintenance of the public safety emergency communications system, and, finally, 10 percent to the emergency management department to be used for emergency management services. Amongst the complaints heard at the two-part hearing — the morning hearing was continued to the evening making it officially one hearing — was the amount and the timing of the increase. Some said the increase was too soon as many have already signed contracts with renters that they would be required to honor and, see COMMISSIONERS, page 2