Room tax idea dropped, but funds for new jail needed After the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners's idea to raise room taxes to fund a new jail was resoundingly defeated by a jury of its peers, government and law enforcement officials look elsewhere to find millions of dollars. The commission held an informational meeting Aug. 21 to argue for a 4-percent raise on all room taxes within the county. That translates to 46 percent. But public concerns about the room tax hike prompted commissioners to take the idea off the table for their August meeting. The bond originally was slated for November, but was pushed back.
Work continues on where to find additional funds for the jail.
Law enforcement officials, including sheriff John Raichl and Cannon Beach police chief Dave Rouse, have come out in favor of more jail space. If the jail is full, which is fairly often, we have to release the offender. We give them a piece of paper and release them barring a crime of an extreme nature. Rouse recalled one case when officers from the Cannon Beach Police Department arrested a suspect with outstanding warrants in two counties. The charges stemmed from failing to appear in court.