Bedford County commissioners approve 5% hotel-room tax, seek CVB strategic plan before funds used

The Bedford County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a hotel-room tax ordinance that imposes a 5% tax on lodging rentals, with the new rate set to take effect Jan. 1, 2026. The vote followed the presentation of a joint statement of intent between the commissioners and the county Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) outlining how new revenue would be planned, tracked and spent.

The joint statement says the CVB will deliver a comprehensive one-, three- and five-year strategic plan, including benchmarks and metrics, by October 2025; the commissioners said they will review data and updates on implementation and retain authority to reduce the tax rate in the future if warranted. The ordinance was introduced under the citation referenced in the meeting as 16 PA CS 17507 and listed as “ordinance number 3.11 of 2025.”

Why it matters: Commissioners said the tax increase is intended to fund countywide tourism promotion and to support grants and projects aimed at preserving local attractions and improving visitor services. In public remarks during the meeting, commissioners and CVB advocates described planned uses including an upgraded tourism website, paid digital advertising, wayfinding signage, grant programs for tourism-related improvements, and targeted branding and marketing work with an agency.

Commissioner (name not specified) read the joint statement and described the proposed timeline for the CVB’s work and the voters’ protections: “The CVB board agrees to provide the Bedford County Commissioners with a comprehensive 1, 3, and 5 years strategic plans with benchmarks and metrics under the new room tax rate by October of 2025,” the commissioner said. The statement, read aloud at the meeting, also noted the board’s authority to reduce the rate later as allowed by statute.

Another commissioner (name not specified) addressed economic concerns and timing: “We are not, we don't live in a vacuum. We understand that there's a lot of uncertainty right now concerning the economy,” they said, noting that the first collections would be reported after the first quarter following implementation. County staff confirmed that the first-quarter collections would be due in April, and that the first receipts would likely be available in May after the applicable reporting period.

A third commissioner (name not specified) said the decision was difficult on a personal level because of family experience in the lodging business but emphasized anticipated benefits: “I see the benefit—amazing benefit of that because, you know, we can help preserve our covered bridges ... and help with the trails,” they said, adding that grant programs could assist local organizations with equipment and capital repairs.

The joint statement lists specific program goals and proposed schedules: a major website upgrade for visitbedfordcounty.com with improved metrics and reporting, selection of an advertising agency by December 2025 with ad buys beginning as early as June 2026, development of program grant guidelines by August 2026 with an outreach seminar for applicants, and a review of CVB board composition and membership rules. The CVB also proposed a free online lodging directory maintained via the county treasurer’s office.

Formal action: The commissioners moved, seconded and voted “aye” to approve the ordinance; the meeting transcript records the motion carrying. The transcript does not record individual roll-call vote tallies by name.

What comes next: The CVB will prepare the strategic plan and metrics described in the joint statement; commissioners said they will review progress and data before or as funds begin to be collected after implementation. No changes to the ordinance’s effective date were made at the meeting.

Sources: Action and comments taken from the March 4, 2025 Bedford County Board of Commissioners meeting transcription. No public comment speakers were listed in the meeting record for this item.