In a recent government meeting, officials from the county and town discussed critical financial matters, including a proposed 2% lodging tax and adjustments to the funding split for joint agencies. The current funding distribution stands at 54% for the county and 46% for the town, with discussions leaning towards a potential shift to a 60-40 or 65-35 split.

The town's representatives highlighted a significant budget shortfall of approximately $4 million needed to maintain core services, prompting the need for a revised funding strategy. The proposed lodging tax, which would primarily affect visitors, is seen as a viable solution to help bridge this financial gap. The town manager indicated that the lodging tax could generate around $2 million, contributing to the overall goal of $4 million.

Key questions arose regarding the implications of changing the funding split, particularly whether such changes would require voter approval or could be implemented independently by the governing bodies. The county suggested a duration for the new split aligned with the sales tax revenue timeline for the Justice Center, while the town favored a longer-term solution of around ten years.

The meeting also touched on the status of joint power agreements (JPAs), with discussions about potentially restructuring these agreements to better reflect the new funding dynamics. The town's representatives emphasized the importance of a sustainable financial model that addresses the growing demands on joint departments, which have seen budget increases due to rising operational costs.

As the deadline for decisions approaches on July 17, officials are tasked with finalizing the lodging tax proposal and the funding split, which will significantly impact the financial landscape for both the county and town moving forward.