County discusses resort‑area sales, VRBO tracking and fireworks safety ahead of Fourth of July

Commissioners and staff discussed how to capture revenue from resort‑area retail activity and short‑term rentals and raised public‑safety concerns about roadside fireworks in dry areas leading up to Independence Day.

Participants reviewed a resort tax boundary that includes areas down to 212 and up into forested zones where vendors, on‑site campground sales and numerous VRBOs operate. Unidentified Speaker 4 described vendor activity around events such as an archery competition at Red Lodge Mountain and said the county could be missing potential revenue streams. The group discussed Red Lodge’s approach of requiring vacation rental registration and using software to track VRBOs as a mechanism to apply resort tax or business licensing to those rentals.

Unidentified Speaker 6 and others raised safety concerns about people shooting fireworks near roadside pullouts toward Belfry where dry fuels could spark wildfires. Officials suggested coordinating signage and possible patrols with road staff (referenced as Josh) and noted the state’s fire conditions vary by region.

No formal motions or ordinances were introduced on resort taxes, VRBO registration, or fireworks restrictions during the meeting; commissioners instructed staff to continue exploring options and to coordinate with relevant state agencies and road crews as needed.