The city council is contemplating boosting the room tax rate to 9 percent, up one percentage point from the current 8 percent rate.

According to city administrator Barbara Warren, .5 percent of that, by law, must go back to the lodging owners to cover collection and bookkeeping costs.

The 9 percent rate would be on a par with other cities in Central Oregon. Madras recently raised its rate and Bend and Redmond are both at 9 percent.

The Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce receives 24 percent of room tax funds to promote tourism. Other room tax dollars go into city street and parks funds with an eye toward making tourism pay at least some portion of its impact costs.

"It's the only way to tag the tourist now," city planner Neil Thompson noted. "There's a heck of a lot of tourism impact in this town."

Warren advocated a larger boost, noting that the state legislature is likely to pass a law requiring that any new increases in room tax be dedicated solely to tourist promotion.

"I think you should go to 10 (percent) personally, because you're probably not going to get to do it again," Warren said.

Mayor Steve Wilson said he was more comfortable simply bringing Sisters into parity with other cities in the region.

"I don't want another fight right now," he said.