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Commissioners give first reading to ordinance tightening Innkeepers' Tax collection
Summary
The board approved a first reading of Ordinance 2026-1 to provide a written collection and enforcement process for overdue Innkeepers' Tax remittances; CVB representatives said at least 12 properties were behind remittance totaling many months, and the Treasurer’s office will review the procedure before final reading.
La Porte County Commissioners held a first reading of Ordinance 2026-1, a proposed ordinance that would formalize procedures for collecting and enforcing past-due Innkeepers' Tax remittances.
Laura Nirenberg, attorney for the Convention & Visitors' Bureau, and Brett Binversie, the CVB's Hospitality & Lodging Director, explained that the ordinance is intended to give the Treasurer a clear, step-by-step process so the office can use tax warrants and other enforcement tools when necessary. Attorney Guy DiMartino said the statute requires policy and guidance but the county had lacked the written procedural steps that would allow consistent enforcement.
Binversie told the board that by the end of 2025 there were 12 properties across the county behind a total of 26 months of remittance and that two additional large properties were behind roughly 18–24 months. DiMartino said some individual past-due amounts reached up to about $50,000.
Commissioner Joe Haney moved to approve the first reading; President Steve Holifield seconded and the motion carried 2-0. The Treasurer’s office will review the proposed process and may raise questions before the second/final reading.
