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Lodging owners oppose proposed room tax increase; council tables amendment for more talks
Summary
At a public hearing on Oct. 10, lodging owners testified against Ordinance 24-07, which would raise the city room tax from 5% to 6%. After hearing objections — including a complaint that “the penalties and fees were outrageous” — the council voted to table the amendment and authorized further meetings with lodging owners.
Mayor Richard Champeny opened a public hearing Oct. 10 on Ordinance 24-07, a proposed amendment to Chapter 113 (room tax ordinance #09-10-01) that would raise the city’s room tax from 5% to 6%. No one testified in favor.
Lodging owners spoke against the increase. Jarrad Fluekiger said he opposed the change because it would hurt businesses. Jennifer Griffith, identified as a lodging owner and resident, criticized the ordinance’s enforcement provisions, saying "the penalties and fees were outrageous." Jon Wisneski also stated he opposed the increase.
After the public hearing closed, the council’s Finance/Tax & License/Zoning Committee acknowledged those comments. Chair Gary Jepsen moved — and the council unanimously approved — a motion to table the amendment to the Room Tax Ordinance and to give Jepsen authority to meet with interested lodging owners to discuss revisions and report back to council.
The action effectively pauses consideration of the proposed 1-percentage-point increase while staff and committee leadership pursue stakeholder discussions. The council did not set a new hearing date when it tabled the amendment.
What happens next: Jepsen will meet with lodging owners and return recommendations to the council; any revised ordinance or scheduling of further hearings will depend on those discussions and subsequent committee action.
