Commissioners ask Teton County Travel Board for advice on potential lodging‑tax revenue uses; public hearing suggested

Commissioner Gardner asked the board on Sept. 8 to ask the Teton County Travel Board (TTB) to outline how additional lodging‑tax revenue would be used and to return advice to the county, a step several commissioners supported.

Gardner said the County has asked in previous discussions how additional lodging tax revenue would be allocated and requested a similar assessment from the TTB. “Not necessarily like, okay, this would be our proposed 2027 budget, but some kind of outline, I think, would be helpful,” Gardner said.

Why it matters: lodging tax changes typically require voter approval and have implications for tourism promotion, events and capital projects; commissioners said an informed public process and outreach are important before pursuing ballot action.

Commissioners discussed outreach and next steps: Commissioner Probst and Commissioner Carmen said they supported requesting advice from the TTB and suggested a public hearing to gather community views if the county pursues placing a lodging‑tax question before voters. Commissioner Post specifically said she wants “a well publicized public hearing and hear from the community” before making decisions.

Chair Newcomb offered to send information and draft a short letter or outreach to the TTB, and commissioners said they would consider placing the matter on a future workshop agenda, with the board’s calendar showing a potential workshop on lodging tax on Oct. 6 and a joint meeting with the town in early October.

Ending: Staff will circulate background materials and the chair said he will reach out to the TTB; commissioners indicated they want to coordinate any outreach with the town and consider a public hearing if the county seeks voter approval for a lodging‑tax change.