| | MANAGER'S REPORT:
This ordinance would place the question of temporarily increasing the hotel-motel room rental tax from seven to nine percent on the ballot at the next regular municipal election. In accordance with the Assembly Committee of the Whole direction at its meeting on July 15, 2019, the increase would be for fifteen years from January 1, 2020, until December 31, 2035. The hotel-motel room rental tax would automatically return to seven percent on January 1, 2036.
The hotel-motel room rental tax was last increased in 1988. The increased rate authorized by this ordinance would initially generate an estimated $440,000 per year in additional revenue. It is the intent of the Assembly to use this increase in the hotel-motel room rental tax to provide funding for the construction of capital improvements for Centennial Hall. Proceeds could also be used to help pay for general obligation debt service relating to Centennial Hall. If this ordinance is adopted by the Assembly, it would also need to be approved by the voters in the October election. | |