Elizabeth Griswold, board chair of Explore Fairbanks and an employee of a local lodge, told the assembly during citizen comment that the visitor industry opposes Ordinance 2025‑14, which would increase the boroughwide hotel‑motel room tax from 8% to 12% and put the question on the ballot.

Griswold said the industry expects a pullback in bookings and questioned the fairness and timing of an industry‑specific tax increase. She told the assembly the borough had collected roughly $5 million in bed‑tax revenue over the past three years and urged the assembly to consider alternatives that spread costs across a broader base — for example, facility or event fees for attractions that benefit from visitors.

Assemblymembers noted the proposal would go first to the finance committee for review on June 17 and return for public hearing; Griswold was told there will be committee review and a public hearing on June 26. Assemblymembers and staff encouraged tourism industry representatives to attend the committee meeting and testify.

What happens next: The ordinance is scheduled for finance committee review and return to the full assembly for public hearing; industry groups said they will continue outreach and bring data on bookings, contracts and local economic impacts to the committee process.