July 18, 2024 |
Photo – Saratoga Town Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo
Saratoga officials provide their feedback on the newly completed Carbon County Visitors’ Council tourism master plan.
During Tuesday’s Saratoga town council meeting, Visitors’ Council Board Member Ellie Dana brought a condensed version of the 2023 Tourism Master Plan for the governing body to review. Dana explained that the master plan focuses on four aspects of tourism: the visitors’ experience, outdoor recreation, hospitality, and collaborations.
Dana said the key aspect of the visitors’ experience is the county’s appearance. The tourism board member said recent streets projects have already made Saratoga look better.
Dana said the visitors’ council would like to install marker signs around the county to guide tourists to local points of interest. Both Mayor Chuck Davis and Councilman Jerry Fluty expressed support for the plan. Mayor Davis asked to have signs posted outside of town. Councilman Fluty said he would like to install markers showing Saratoga’s attractions.
Dana moved on to hospitality. She said the tourism master plan lists a need for more and better qualified hospitality workers. Dana said like the local guest ranches, Saratoga’s hospitality businesses could work together to attract seasonal employees.
Dana asked the town council for permission to suggest combining hospitality service hiring to the tourism board. Mayor Davis said he likes the idea but asked Dana to include the entire county.
Councilman Fluty said the businesses should be consulted before putting Dana’s combined hiring plan into action. Dana said she would like to get approval from the tourism board before bringing the idea to the business owners.
Dana said the visitors’ council board would like Saratoga to support the construction of new lodging and camping facilities. Mayor Davis said Saratoga Lake is the only place to legally camp around town.
Councilman Fluty said improved water and sewer access will entice more people to camp by the lake. However, the town will need to find money for the project before work can begin.
Dana said she will ask the visitors’ council board to find a funding source to expand water and sewer coverage to the Saratoga Lake campground.
Mayor Davis said the planning commission could look into creating a place in town for single night campers, such as bicyclers.
Dana said the visitors’ council board would like the town to address short-term rentals. However, like the council, Dana said she does not support limiting or regulating rental properties.
Dana said she will inform the tourism board that the council has no intention to address short-term rentals as this time.
Councilwoman Kathy Beck asked if the visitors’ council had a list of all the short-term rentals in Carbon County. Dana said they do not, nor does she know how to obtain such a list unless the property is represented by a listing company, such as Airbnb or Vrbo.
Councilwoman Beck said she would like an accurate count of the number of short-term rentals in Saratoga. The councilwoman said a permitting process could help the town keep track of the short-term rentals.
Councilwoman Beck said using the permitting process, the Carbon County Chamber of Commerce could advertise the short-term rentals on its website, alongside other businesses.
Councilman Fluty asked why the town would want to implement another regulation limiting what residents can do with their private property. Councilwoman Beck said a permit will simply allow Saratoga to know what businesses are operating in town.
Mayor Davis said the planning commission will hold a public workshop about short-term rentals during their next meeting on August 13th. The mayor said the planning board will take the public’s input and recommend how or if the town should regulate short-term rentals.
Dana offered to provide monthly updates on the 2023 Tourism Master Plan to the town council. Until then, she will bring the council’s comments and concerns up during the next visitors’ council board meeting.
