The Greene County Commissioners made the final approval which will implement a 5 percent Innkeeper’s Tax at the beginning of 2018.
The commissioners approved the ordinance to implement the tax with a unanimous vote Tuesday evening. The vote came after the council approved the same ordinance Monday night with a 4-3 vote.
The ordinance was recently pared down as part of a group effort of the council and commissioners, with councilman Hal Harp, commissioner Rick Graves and attorneys Ryan McDonald and Marvin Abshire working to simplify the language. The result, presented at the May 31 joint meeting of the council and commissioners, resulted in fewer entities directed to collect the tax upon implementation.
The new ordinance will place a tax on individuals staying at Greene County hotels, motels, inns and bed and breakfast establishments. The goal of the tax, according to Greene County Economic Development Director Brianne Jerrels, is to raise funds to help promote tourism opportunities in Greene County.
While the change in ordinance drops the number of establishments from which the tax would be collected from 22 to 8, Jerrels said she would be happy to have any stream of revenue which will help promote all of the attractions in Greene County. The funds, Jerrels explained previously, would potentially be used for advertising in various medias, the creation of a mobile app, promoting agri-business, seeking mini grants, purchasing signage, creating a promotional video and more.
Following the vote, commissioner Rick Graves said the next step will be to appoint a Convention, Visitors and Tourism Commission -- which will serve as the governing board, overseeing the budget and request for funds.
The commissioners will appoint two members to the newly-created commission. Graves asked anyone interested to reach out to any of the commissioners.
Commissioner Nathan Abrams noted they would like to see several people interested for the commission.
The Greene County Council will also appoint two members. Per state statute, the Mayor of Linton will also have an appointment to the board as the city is the largest municipality in the county.
Members of the commission must also include an individual engaged in convention, visitor or tourism business; an individual involved in promoting convention, visitor or tourism business; and two innkeepers.
The ordinance states the appointments are for terms of three years.