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Warr Acres council approves placing 8% hotel tax on special-election ballot
Summary
Council voted to submit an ordinance increasing the hotel/motel tax from 5.5% to 8% for voter approval and adopted a resolution to call a special election; council and staff noted the revenue is largely paid by nonresident guests and can include short‑term rentals under current code.
The Warr Acres City Council voted to send an ordinance to the voters that would raise the city's hotel/motel tax from 5.5% to 8% and adopted a resolution calling a special election for the measure.
Council discussion: staff and councilors described the tax as primarily paid by nonresident guests — including short‑term rentals that appear to meet the city's existing hotel tax definition — and noted the measure would be a voter decision. Staff also explained how the revenue currently flows (three quarters to general fund and roughly one quarter to economic development under an internal allocation) and that increasing the tax is a common municipal revenue option that does not directly raise resident taxes.
Procedure and action: after questions about cost and timing, a motion to submit the ordinance for voter approval passed on a roll‑call vote; the council also approved a separate resolution to call the election. The city attorney explained that adoption of the ordinance conditions it on voter approval; if the voters approve it, the ordinance takes effect as provided in the enacted language.
Next steps: staff will prepare ballot language, election logistics and public notice for the special election, and will continue to review code language covering short‑term rentals to ensure definitions and tax collection procedures are clear.
