Board finalizes hotel-motel application language and orders standardized reporting form

Josh presented a finalized draft of the hotel-motel fund application and checklist, noting edits to align the language with county code. He explained that counties and municipalities are authorized to levy a hotel-motel tax and use funds to promote tourism and events that attract nonresident overnight visitors, and that the application wording was adjusted to mirror the county code’s eligible purposes.

Josh cited the statutory basis for counties (as he read it): "it authorizes counties and municipalities to levy a tax on hotelmotel stays with funds to be used for promoting tourism, conventions, expositions, theatrical, sports, and cultural activities that benefit the community and also, with the overnight stays, promoting overnight stays." He said the application will be formatted and brought to the full board for final approval; Angie (staff) will prepare the packet with the county seal for the full-board meeting.

Members requested stronger accounting and reporting requirements. Sandy asked for a standardized form so applicants consistently provide the data the county needs; the committee agreed that an appendix or standardized accounting report should be included up front in the application packet. Sandy also proposed shortening the required post-event reporting window from 90 days to 60 days; the presenter agreed to change that provision.

The committee moved to send the revised application packet to the full board for approval, and the motion carried. The finalized application and the standardized accounting/reporting form will be presented at the full-board meeting for formal adoption.