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Adams County council adopts 5% innkeepers tax to fund tourism; commissioners to form oversight board
Summary
The Adams County Council voted 4–1 to adopt Ordinance No. 2026-3, imposing a 5% innkeepers (visitor) tax to create a dedicated tourism fund; supporters said the fee would be visitor‑paid and help marketing, opponents warned it reduces local competitiveness. Commissioners must establish the advisory commission to oversee proceeds.
Adams County’s council voted to adopt a 5% innkeepers tax on overnight stays, approving County Council Ordinance No. 2026-3 by a recorded voice vote reported as 4–1.
The proposal, presented by a county presenter (Speaker 10), would levy a 5% fee on hotel, motel and short‑term rental stays and place collected funds in a locally controlled tourism account. “A dedicated tourism fund would allow Adams County to market the county regionally and statewide,” Speaker 10 said, adding the county missed an estimated $75,000 in 2023 and $80,000 in 2024 by not having the tax in place.
Supporters framed the charge as visitor‑funded growth. Council member (Speaker 5), who moved adoption, said the measure would bring money to promote events and support local businesses without pulling from general county revenues.
Opponents said the new fee is still a tax and could erode the county’s competitive advantage. “We all say we’re against taxes and regulations, but every time we see a good reason for it, we say ‘it’s not that much,’” Council member (Speaker 3) said, adding that local lodging operators will have to collect and remit the fee and could face added regulation.
The council’s discussion focused on two practical issues: expected revenue and governance. Speaker 10 referenced data from the Indiana Destination Development Corporation to arrive at the revenue estimate; during debate, councilors asked whether the county could instead appropriate county funds to support tourism programs. The presenter and other supporters said a visitor tax keeps the cost on nonresidents who use lodging.
Under the ordinance, the county’s commissioners will establish an advisory board to oversee tourism spending and help funnel funds through an appropriate nonprofit or the Economic Development Corporation until a standalone entity is created. The council’s approval authorizes the ordinance; setting up the commission and administrative details will follow with the commissioners’ action.
Next steps: commissioners will be asked to create the local advisory board and confirm administrative arrangements for collecting and routing the tax revenue. The ordinance takes formal effect according to the schedule included in the county’s clerk/ordinance process; councilors did not postpone implementation in the meeting.
Votes and procedure: the motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2026-3 was moved by Council member (Speaker 5) and seconded; the council approved the ordinance with a 4–1 tally as stated at the meeting. A commissioner will establish the commission that administers the funds, according to council discussion.
