2025-02-24-minutes-cds-study-session

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Bala, CDS Director approached the podium and clarified for the record that the STR Committee members would be speaking as individual members of the public, not as committee members on behalf of the committee as a whole. Jessica Karraker began to speak from the audience and Chair Osiadacz requested that she come to the podium and follow protocol. Jessica Karraker introduced herself at the podium and spoke about the survey results influx thus far and asked if it had slowed down from the previous week. Long Range Planner Jeremy Johnston answered yes and elaborated on the timeframe. Jessica Karraker stated she had found the results very interesting, however, in her opinion it is still very early on in the process. She shared information about the recent STR House Bill 6% tax and explained the general idea and fiscal impact of approximately 20% in taxes and fees to book a short term rental in Kittitas County. Chair Osiadacz discussed her initial thoughts in regard to the survey comments. She noticed a lot of comments about Chelan County's STR program and hadn't realized that their process was so widely known. She suggested looking at their standards since they did it first. Chad Bala, CDS Director agreed with Chair Osiadacz and provided background information on the subject. Before Long Range Planner Jeremy Johnston's arrival, previous Planner, Chase Pederson did some preliminary research on Chelan County. Director Bala had also been engaged in lengthy discussion with the Chelan County Director at the annual Directors conference. Commissioner Wachsmith found the survey results interesting and asked some questions about questions #11 and #20. Long Range Planner Jeremy Johnston clarified data percentages, and gave insight for the "other" question, suggesting that maybe an option for "no regulation" could have been utilized. Vice - Chair Wright asked questions about the status of data collection as to how many STR's currently exist in the County. Long Range Planner Johnston replied no, staff did not have this data yet. Chair Osiadacz stated that she had recently seen the data from the Chamber of Commerce's survey. CDS Director Bala stated that it was very important to obtain this information and reminded the group that he had brought this up before at a previous meeting. Vice -Chair Wright posed the question "What problem are we trying to solve?" Discussion continued regarding the most current data from the Chamber of Commerce which was recently shared at a Lodging Tax Advisory meeting. Chair Osiadacz clarified information about the Lodging Tax Advisory meeting. Vice Chair Wright posed his question again about problem solving and 2025-02-24-25 MINUTES 2