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Warren County treasurer reports preliminary occupancy tax gains, unveils online portal and cash‑management plans
Summary
The county treasurer told the finance committee early 2025 occupancy‑tax figures show a modest increase after adjusting for a timing difference; the treasurer also outlined an online payment and registration portal for lodging collections and a potential cash‑management proposal that could raise interest income.
County Treasurer Christina (last name not provided in transcript) told the Warren County Finance/Budget Committee that preliminary occupancy tax collections for 2024–25 are up slightly after adjusting for a timing difference tied to a late payment from an event vendor.
"It increased March to 6% in total. Again, at the end of the day, it's really too early to tell, but we are up slightly," the treasurer said, describing how a late payment from The Great Escape had produced a misleading jump in year‑over‑year totals until the timing issue was corrected.
The treasurer said hotels and motels account for roughly 80% of occupancy tax collections and short‑term rentals about 20%, so percentage changes on the smaller STR base can look large. She said the county has closed the 2024 accounting period and will provide a year‑end budget analysis and a quarterly occupancy‑tax report at the next meeting.
On administration and operations, the treasurer reported progress on a new time‑management/automation system (RFPs in final stage and demos underway) and said the county is building a customer‑facing occupancy tax portal that will allow registration and payment online, while retaining options for checks, an in‑office kiosk and a $1 bank‑transfer option to reduce card interchange fees.
The treasurer also flagged a potential cash‑management arrangement referred to as "3 plus 1," saying it could produce between "$500 and a million dollars" of additional interest by optimizing daily cash balances; staff will bring a formal proposal if the expected return justifies the fees.
Supervisors asked about operational details and staffing transitions; the treasurer noted ongoing support from staff members being trained and said more detailed reports will follow next month.
