Visit Saint Mary’s seeks supplemental funding as accommodation tax lags; Airbnb taxation options discussed but tabled

Jason Hall of Visit Saint Mary’s (tourism office) requested a $30,743 supplement to cover a gap between the statutory accommodations‑tax allocation formula and the organization’s previous funding level.

Hall and county finance staff explained the shortfall stems from lower reported accommodations‑tax receipts this year and from rapid growth in short‑term rental platforms (Airbnb/VRBO) for which the county does not yet collect the same local accommodations tax as for hotels. Economic development and tourism staff said data indicate significant growth in Airbnb occupancy; they estimated that collecting tax on Airbnb bookings at county rates could yield an additional $65,000+ in local revenue.

Commissioners asked legal and finance staff to research the county’s current authority to collect accommodations taxes from internet‑based short‑term rental platforms and to check whether enabling legislation or delegation support is required. One commissioner noted a prior delegation review had rejected a local enabling change; staff said the county could pursue administrative or contractual remedies and would report back.

Because Visit Saint Mary’s' request was not recommended by the county administrator for this budget pass, and because tourism revenue projections were uncertain, commissioners declined to add the $30,743 supplement at this time and asked staff to return with a legal assessment and potential approaches to collect accommodations tax on peer‑to‑peer rentals.