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Altus council directs staff to study expanding hotel-motel tax to fund recreation projects
Summary
The Altus City Council voted to let staff research whether expanding the hotel-motel tax or creating a hotel-motel-and-recreation fee could raise revenue for projects such as Missile Park and whether the change would require a public vote.
The Altus City Council voted to authorize staff to research converting or expanding the city's hotel-motel tax into a hotel-motel-and-recreation fee and to return to the council with projected revenues, legal analysis and a recommendation.
Councilors and staff said the change could generate additional funds that would be earmarked for recreation projects such as the planned improvements at Missile Park and other youth recreation activities. City staff told the council the city currently routes hotel-motel sales-tax revenue to economic development and tourism and that an alternate fee could yield more consistent revenue because some occupants are currently exempt from sales tax.
City staff said the analysis will include whether a ballot measure or other voter approval is required. "It may require a vote of the people," a staff speaker told the council during the discussion, and recommended returning with detailed projections before any final decision.
Councilmembers moved and approved a motion directing staff to proceed with research, legal review and projected revenue modeling and to bring the results back to the council for future action.
The motion passed by recorded vote; council members recorded as voting in favor included Terrence Feiler, John Wilmatt, (Councilmember listed as) Gucci, Roberta Brady Lee, Sally George, Cody Nelson and Mayor Robert Garrison. The motion did not finalize any change to the tax or place a measure on the ballot; it only authorized staff to study options and return with findings.
