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Council opens discussion on expanding allowable uses of visitor benefit and promotion tax
Summary
On first reading, Council reviewed Ordinance 7 to allow limited administrative uses — including leasing or purchasing real estate — of the 2% lodging tax revenue, with staff stressing the change would not reduce the voter-approved transportation allocation.
City staff introduced Ordinance 7 on first reading, which would amend municipal code language governing the visitor benefit and promotion tax to expand allowable administrative uses of the 2% lodging-tax revenue, including leasing or purchasing real estate for tourism-promotion functions.
Staff emphasized the ordinance would not change existing voter-approved allocation percentages for transportation, and said any specific real-estate or long-term uses would return to council for approval and parameters. Council members asked whether the change allows leasing versus purchasing and whether a sunset or limits would be applied; staff said any such uses would require subsequent council review to set parameters. The ordinance was read on first reading and opened for further consideration.
