Plumas Supervisors Give Final Approval to Renew Tourism Marketing District

QUINCY — In a special meeting on December 23, the Plumas County Board of Supervisors gave final approval to a resolution that will extend the existence of the county Tourism Marketing District for another five years.

The district was formed in 2020 to market Plumas County as a tourist destination and has been funded by an assessment on 2% of the county’s revenue from transient occupancy taxes. Lodging providers in eastern Plumas County, including Portola and Graeagle, decided not to join the district when it was formed, however.

The Board’s decision on the tourism district’s future has been prolonged through a series of public hearings that began in October. While some lodging providers and other business owners have provided written and oral comments supporting renewal of the district, others raised objections, citing concerns about the effectiveness of the district’s efforts, the extent to which its current structure represents the whole county and all types of lodging providers, and the belief that short-term rentals, like AirBnB, do not pay a fair share of the assessment. Supervisor Engel also noted that collecting and administering the assessment imposes costs on the county.

The resolution the Supervisors considered on December 23 incorporated changes from the original version, reflecting concerns raised by the public and members of the Board. Like the original proposal, it will increase the assessment from 2% to 3%, but will extend the district for only five years, rather than 10, and will direct 5% of the district’s assessment revenue to the county to cover administrative costs. The district will also be required to report annually on how its marketing efforts have affected lodging occupancy and county tax revenues. The measure was adopted by roll-call vote.