Joseph City Council tables transient lodging tax

Published 9:00 pm Friday, March 6, 2026

JOSEPH — After hearing much opposition, the Joseph City Council tabled a proposal that would raise the city’s transient lodging tax.

Councilor Nancy Parmenter during the council’s meeting Thursday, March 5, suggested more research needs to be done, and the council agreed to table the matter for one month to allow for that.

The tax is 3% of the cost of lodging at hotels and the like. The proposed ordinance would raise it to 5%, which is the same as the rate in Enterprise.

Several letters about the tax hike were read and several people in the audience spoke on it. Most were against it or at least against its implementation as of July 1, as the ordinance called for.

Several business owners pointed out the law prevents them from raising rates on customers once they have agreed to a rate. They also said the tax would come directly out of their pockets because they would be prevented from passing it onto the customers. This is particularly true with the July 1 start date for the tax hike. Some suggested putting it off until Jan. 1.

Several comments also noted the local tax hike would come on the heels of a state lodging tax increase the Legislature enacted March 4. The session ended March 6, and now Gov. Tina Kotek has 30 days to sign bills or veto bills.

According to the city, it collected $47,445.68 in lodging tax revenue in 2023-24, the most recent annual total available. The increased revenue would go toward tourism-related expenses.

The council also tabled a draft of modified allocations for the transient lodging tax fund. The council will decide that after it makes a decision on the lodging tax ordinance.

Also during the meeting, the council heard a request for a resolution to protect library funds. The city has more than $50,000 dedicated to the new library and wants to make sure it doesn’t get spent for anything else. Mayor Stephen Barlow suggested interim Administrator Lacey McQuead include it in her budget message that she’s working on. McQuead said it would require a resolution to spend the library money.

The council also:

• Accepted the resignation of Councilor Becca Henry. She has been on the council since May 1 and did not give a reason for her resignation.

• Agreed to close bank accounts the city no longer needs.

• Agreed to begin advertising for a permanent city administrator to replace McQuead.

• Scheduled the next meeting for April 2.