Lodging tax will be on general election ballot

The County Commissioners approved the Travel and Tourism Board's request for permission to include a 4-cent lodging tax on the November general election ballot.

Tourism Director Amanda Moeller presented the board with information about the tax, explaining a rise in tourists in the Hot Springs County area due to expanded advertising.

"There are more people coming and staying in lodging establishments in Hot Springs County," Moeller said. "I would also note that we have six, soon to be eight, vacation rentals on our website. Those also collect a lodging tax. We've been able to educate those folks on how to collect it and that's just more money going into that lodging tax."

Moeller explained the total cost of taxes at lodging establishments is 9 percent, but only 4 percent of that is the lodging tax. The other five percent is sales tax. She emphasized the importance of residents understanding that this is not a tax they will have to pay.

"It is not our county that pays that lodging tax," she said. "We are trying to explain to people that it's not their tax to pay. Our visitors and tourists are the only ones that pay that tax."

Moeller also said they are seeing a lot of increase in their lodging tax deposits, due to increased tourism.

"We are seeing more folks in Thermopolis," she said. "We know that our focused advertising is working."

The "opolis" branding will continue to be used. The Travel and Tourism Board is using that advertising across the board and it has proven to be an effective brand, she said.

Commissioner Brad Basse asked Moeller if the ballot tax will be the total 4-cents, because it had been worded differently in the past.

"The ballot will read, 'Shall Hot Springs County renew for an additional four years in lodging tax of four percent upon accommodation or space for transient visitors or tourists?'" Moeller said. "Then residents can mark whether they are for or against the tax."

Basse made a motion to approve the 4-cent lodging tax to be placed on the November general election ballot.

"Good job," Basse said. "That is one portion of our economy that is thriving as opposed to some other areas."

Vice-Chairman Tom Ryan, acting as Temporary Chairman at this meeting in lieu of Chairman John Lumley's absence, approved the motion.