County Approves Hotel Tax Resolution 4-1

Fayette County Commissioners voted 4-1 to approve a resolution supporting a county-wide hotel occupancy tax at a meeting on Monday, Dec. 12. Pct. 4 Commissioners Tom Muras voted against the resolution. 

The resolution states that the Fayette County Commissioners Court requests the legislature to authorize a new tax on overnight stays in lodging establishments in the unincorporated areas of the county. The resolution calls for a tax rate of up to seven percent of the price of a room.

State law requires that hotel occupancy tax revenues can only be spent on activities that benefit the lodging businesses, or “put heads in beds.” Fayette County Tourism Association supports the hotel occupancy tax. That group works to promote Fayette County as a tourism destination through a variety of marketing efforts.

The proposed tax requires legislation and a signature from the governor before it can be imposed, and the bill must begin in the State House of Representative. A spokesperson from Rep. Leighton Schubert’s office said Schubert has not yet decided whether to file a bill, but he would be considering the proposal in coming days.