Sponsor asks committee to end Ashtabula County's 2% bed tax tied to Geneva on the Lake lodge

Senator O'Brien told the Senate Ways and Means Committee that Senate Bill 43 would end a 2% bed tax in Ashtabula County that was imposed to fund a lodge at Geneva on the Lake. O'Brien said the lodge's estimated cost was $14,000,000 and that, despite a temporary bed-tax increase, the county ultimately spent far more on the project. She said state action later paid $14,000,000 to eliminate county debt and that the lodge is now paid off, yet the Convention Facilities Authority continues to collect roughly $700,000 annually.

"The lodge is built, the lodge is paid for, and this tax should end," O'Brien said, arguing the tax had become "a slush fund" and describing the prior financing as a taxpayer burden. Several senators supported her intent. Senator Lang (as referenced in questioning) and others raised the concern that county officials had declined to turn the lodge over to the state as originally expected, which allowed the bed tax to remain in place.

Committee members asked whether the matter could be resolved locally: Senator Moore observed that county commissioners or voters could repeal the tax and questioned the need for state intervention. O'Brien said she had urged a commissioner to end the tax but had not found support and said local motel owners told her they were paying taxes that subsidize government-owned competition.

Sponsor testimony concluded at the committee's first hearing on the bill. No vote was taken during this session; opponents and local officials may appear in future hearings.