[OMS_MANAGERS] FW: TLT Funding Question

[Jessamyn Grace West]

Hi Chantal,
Below is an email I sent to Ariel a while back about TLTs that may have some helpful info in it.  I honestly wish there was a standardized state formula (or recommendation) for cities/main streets and distribution of TLTs- what we do is definitely eligible for it, but proving that at the local level can be tricky.
Of course let me know if you have questions and great seeing you in Birmingham.

Jessamyn Grace West
Executive Director
Astoria Downtown Historic District Association
PO Box 261
1216 Duane St, Ste 222<https://goo.gl/maps/WcNZsFyoFci5WkkG7>
Astoria, OR 97103<https://goo.gl/maps/WcNZsFyoFci5WkkG7>
503.791.7940
www.AstoriaDowntown.com<http://www.astoriadowntown.com/>

From: Jessamyn Grace West
Sent: Friday, January 26, 2024 2:59 PM
To: bakercitydowntown at gmail.com
Subject: RE: [OMS_MANAGERS] TLT Funding Question

Hi Ariel (again)!
(sending this to you directly)
Hopefully I can help a little with this- I have had to learn about TLTs from a few different angles- including serving on city council, serving on the city’s budget committee (the committee that decides how the city’s funding is allocated), as a recipient of TLT grant awards for the arts organization I run, and as the ED of the ADHDA as TLTs make up part of our budget.

One thing you might want to research ahead of time (if you haven’t already) is requesting a copy of how your city spends its TLTs- this allocation info should be available in your city’s budget from the last fiscal year (you may need to request it from the city manager or finance director).   I’ve also attached the state requirements for exactly what TLTs can be spent on- keep in mind this is the 70% that must be redirected back into tourist-related activities, the other 30% of TLTs goes back into a city’s general fund which they can pretty much spend on anything.  The 70% / 30% split is designated by the state and heavily impacted by lobbying from tourist related industries- more info on that here: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2017R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/110269
This is also a more condensed report as far as how TLTs are spent throughout the state: https://industry.traveloregon.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/ECONW_TLT-Executive-Summary_2020-Final.pdf

You may also want to see how much your region generates in TLTs- Astoria falls under the ‘Coast region’ and generates the highest amount of TLTs per capita in the state.  This screenshot below is a bit out of date- our TLTs have actually greatly increased in the last few years.  There is a lot more info per region here: https://industry.traveloregon.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Local-Transient-Lodging-Tax-Report_FINAL-1.pdf
[cid:image003.png at 01DA5068.2B021AB0]

ADHDA receives about 65k from our city which is currently 13% of our budget, we do not receive funding from the county.

I’ll let you know if I’m able to carve out some time at this Thursday’s MoM or we can set up a one on one meeting 😊

Jessamyn Grace West
Executive Director
Astoria Downtown Historic District Association
PO Box 261
1216 Duane St, Ste 222<https://goo.gl/maps/WcNZsFyoFci5WkkG7>
Astoria, OR 97103<https://goo.gl/maps/WcNZsFyoFci5WkkG7>
503.791.7940
www.AstoriaDowntown.com<http://www.astoriadowntown.com/>

From: OMS_MANAGERS <oms_managers-bounces at omls.oregon.gov<mailto:oms_managers-bounces at omls.oregon.gov>> On Behalf Of Ariel M. Reker
Sent: Friday, January 26, 2024 11:22 AM
To: Oregon Main Street program managers <oms_managers at omls.oregon.gov<mailto:oms_managers at omls.oregon.gov>>; Oregon Main Street program managers <oms_managers at omls.oregon.gov<mailto:oms_managers at omls.oregon.gov>>
Subject: [OMS_MANAGERS] TLT Funding Question

Hello OMS folks,
This question is specifically for programs that receive funding from their city/county TLT. Based on the 2023 Budget Survey that includes Albany, Astoria, Milton-Freewater, Monmouth, North Bend, Port Orford, and Tillamook.

Can you help me by answering how you are part of those budgets? Is your TLT ordinance just for the City or County, or both? Are you in a dedicated budget line or do you have to request funds regularly? Was your program written into the local ordinance or is it more of a request/grant program that you are receiving TLT funds? How does it work for y'all?

For context, Baker City Downtown is exploring dedicated budget line item funding from various places (City, County, TLT, and EDC), and this question has come up in conversation with TLT leadership. Currently, we have a County TLT ordinance only, and BCD is able to make event marketing grant requests up to $5,000, though they are phasing these out and instead transitioning event organizers to working solely with their contracted Marketing Director for support with marketing alone.

Looking forward to hearing from y'all, and if I'm missing any program that received funding please feel free to chime in too!
Thanks for your help,
Ariel

Ariel M. Reker
Executive Director
[Picture]
Baker City Downtown
P.O. Box 1148
Baker City, OR  97814

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