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Lander Chamber ends lodging-tax MOU; council to bring lodging-tax administration in-house
Summary
The Lander Chamber of Commerce submitted a letter terminating its MOU with the city and returning lodging-tax administration to the city, saying public funds should be managed by a public entity. City staff said they will create a special TAT line item in the upcoming budget.
The Lander Chamber of Commerce informed the City Council June 16 that it had submitted a letter (dated April 30) terminating the memorandum of understanding under which the Chamber administered lodging tax receipts for the city. The Chamber representative told council the group’s intent was to return the lodging-tax administration to the city because “public funds should be in public hands.”
Council and staff responded positively, saying the end of the formal MOU does not end the partnership between the city and the Chamber. The mayor and other council members thanked the Chamber for years of collaboration and said the visitor center can continue to operate and the organizations will maintain a cooperative relationship.
Staff noted that, for transparency, the city will likely create a new tourism-attraction-tax (TAT) grant line item in the FY2026–27 budget and bring forward the necessary budget item at a future meeting (possibly as soon as the next regular meeting or July 1). Staff said the city will administer the funds directly and report the new line item to auditors.
Council had no objections; staff will bring the budget item forward for action at an upcoming meeting.
