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Council authorizes room‑tax refund totaling $31,210.91; refers review of reporting to committee
Summary
The council approved covering a $31,210.91 refund to a short‑term rental manager from room‑tax funds and directed further review by the Personnel & Finance Committee to clarify reporting and prevent future duplicate payments.
The Two Rivers City Council authorized payment of a $31,210.91 refund stemming from duplicate room‑tax remittances to properties managed by Baton 2 Rivers Properties, and directed further review to reduce the risk of future errors.
Greg (staff member) explained the request covers duplicate room‑tax payments for multiple short‑term rental properties for 2020 through 2024. Finance provided a spreadsheet showing actual room‑tax receipts, the statutory maximum 30 percent city share, and year‑by‑year transfers; staff advised the city’s tourism fund (fund 258) has sufficient balance to cover the refund without causing the general fund to exceed its statutory share for the years in question.
Council members and the room‑tax commission representatives discussed system weaknesses. Mark Bittner and others noted platform remitters (Airbnb and similar services) send lump‑sum payments to local governments without property‑level detail, creating reconciliation challenges. Council members said that the lack of itemized invoices from platforms makes detecting duplicate payments harder for property owners and for the city.
Council member Bonnie Shamelunis asked that the issue be referred to the Personnel & Finance Committee for review; the council then acted to have the refund paid from the room‑tax/tourism fund and requested committee review of reporting and possible ordinance or process changes to prevent recurrence. The council’s motion to let room‑tax funds cover the corrected amount ($31,210.91) passed on a roll‑call vote with all members present voting yes.
Staff said the room‑tax commission and city attorneys would consider options including asking state legislators to require invoice detail from online platforms or exploring local reporting changes that improve traceability for property owners.
Personnel & Finance Committee review was scheduled to provide a recommendation back to the full council in short order; staff and the tourism director will provide documentation and options at that meeting.
