Union County approves innkeeper tax

County officials approved the tax by a vote of 5-1, with Councilman Dannie Witter opposed and Councilwoman Bonnie Adams absent.

Witter said he voted against the innkeeper tax because Thursday was the first time he had seen the proposed tax.

“I wanted more discussion,” Witter said.

While facts concerning the tax have been difficult to find, Melissa Browning, Union County’s economic development director, said the county could use the new tax to pay half of her salary, freeing those dollars for other county needs.  

Browning has spoken with state officials and local representatives concerning the tax and she said enacting it will benefit the county.

Wayne County already enacted the tax and uses the innkeeper revenue to for salaries and promotion, Browning said.

“If we could pay some salaries it would be worth it,” Commission President Paul Wiwi said.