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Osage County economic development staff says Department of Revenue accepted transient guest tax paperwork; commissioners asked to create fund
Summary
Economic development staff updated commissioners that resolutions for a transient guest tax were published and the Kansas Department of Revenue accepted county paperwork. Staff proposed creating a dedicated fund for the revenue and returning Oct. 21 for a final vote on rates.
Osage County economic development staff told commissioners on Aug. 5 that the Kansas Department of Revenue has accepted the county's paperwork for a proposed transient guest tax and that the required local publication of resolutions has been completed.
Cole Mendoza said the county published the resolutions on July 31 and scheduled an additional publication for Aug. 7; once the statutory notice period ends, the commission will reconvene about Oct. 21 to vote on a future tax rate.
Why it matters: If enacted, a transient guest tax would create a new revenue stream earmarked for tourism and visitor-promotion activities; staff proposed creating a dedicated fund so revenue and expenditures can be tracked separately.
What was reported and next steps
- Mendoza told commissioners the Department of Revenue received and accepted the paperwork and that an initial October 1 effective date for the 2% filing had been processed so revenue would begin to appear in fourth-quarter receipts.
- Mendoza said staff will draft and present a resolution to create a formal revenue line or fund for the transient guest tax; she suggested the fund be used for tourism promotion and related activities and said the county may need a year or more to accumulate meaningful revenue.
- Staff will send a letter and instructions to short-term rental owners and other affected entities after the modification period closes, and will identify who needs access to state tax-entity reporting (economic development, the clerk and the treasurer were listed).
Commission response
Commissioners asked for clarity on which lodging units would be subject to the tax; Mendoza said she will include straightforward guidance in the owner letter and links to state filing instructions. Clerk and treasurer access to tax reports was supported by commissioners and will be arranged.
Ending
Mendoza said she would draft a resolution to create the fund and bring it back for commission consideration; commissioners did not take a final vote on rates at the Aug. 5 meeting and expect follow-up in October.
