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County tourism official proposes countywide lodging-tax fund; Star Valley Ranch council raises funding concerns
Summary
A county tourism representative proposed a countywide travel-and-tourism committee funded by participating communities’ lodging taxes and a $200,000–$250,000 annual fund to hire a marketing position; Star Valley Ranch councilmembers and local board members raised concerns about using locally voted lodging-tax funds and whether contributions would be mandatory.
Mr. King, representing County Travel and Tourism, asked the Star Valley Ranch council to consider an intercommunity memorandum of understanding to form a countywide travel-and-tourism committee that would pool lodging-tax revenues and seek a $200,000–$250,000 annual fund to support grants, projects and a dedicated marketing position.
The proposal prompted questions from local tourism board member Mr. Bell and councilmembers about how the committee would be financed and whether contributing communities would lose local control over lodging-tax money. Mr. Bell warned of a perception problem, saying the idea could be seen as “taking what was voted as a local option tax for nonlocal projects,” which he said would be objectionable to town residents.
Mr. King replied that participation would be voluntary and clarified that “no, each community can provide or participate as they would like with no obligation,” but he did not provide a minimum contribution figure for formal voting rights, saying that decision would be left to the proposed committee.
Councilman Ellis asked what the minimum contribution would be to have a voice on the committee; Mr. King said he did not have an answer. Councilman Merrill said the town has residents who do not want increased tourism, and she cautioned that a countywide initiative might run counter to those local preferences. Councilman Toolson asked whether contribution amounts would determine the level of input; Mr. King said participation and input would be equal regardless of contribution.
The council directed the Travel and Tourism Board to review a resubmitted SVRA lodging-tax grant application and asked that the board provide a recommendation at the regular meeting. The board and council also noted that the Travel and Tourism Board plans to advertise the grant application and will appoint a new member at the regular meeting.
The work session record does not show any vote by the council to commit lodging-tax dollars to the countywide proposal; Mr. King’s proposal remained at the discussion stage with questions about structure, contribution levels and resident sentiment pending further discussion.
