EDITORIAL: A tax worth supporting

Posted 10/27/16

The last time a 1-cent tax was proposed here, the measure failed in 24 of the county’s 29 precincts. In two areas — Clark and the Willwood — about 80 percent of voters opposed the sales tax.

Given those bleak statistics, it may come as a …

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EDITORIAL: A tax worth supporting

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Taxes are about as popular as wolves in Park County.

The last time a 1-cent tax was proposed here, the measure failed in 24 of the county’s 29 precincts. In two areas — Clark and the Willwood — about 80 percent of voters opposed the sales tax.

Given those bleak statistics, it may come as a surprise that there is a tax Park County voters have faithfully supported since the 1980s.

Every four years, the lodging tax sails through the election — and for good reason.

The 4 percent tax is only paid by those who stay in local lodging establishments, such as motels and dude ranches. The tax is almost entirely paid for by visitors traveling to the area. While most local residents rarely pay this lodging tax, they still stand to benefit from it. The tax funds extensive marketing efforts to draw more visitors to the area, which helps our local economy.

In the 2015-16 fiscal year, the tax generated nearly $2.3 million in Park County. A lot of those dollars go right back to local communities.

Park County and the municipalities of Powell, Cody and Meeteetse receive 10 percent of the lodging tax, which amounted to $227,640 last year, according to the Park County Travel Council.

The City of Cody received $124,495 that went toward special projects, such as the Boys and Girls Club of Park County, Crisis Intervention Services, Concerts in the Park and other local programs. Park County received roughly $89,900 for its general fund. Meanwhile, the City of Powell earmarked $6,090 to promote the annual Country Christmas event.

In addition, just over $300,000 in revenue from the tax was then distributed in local communities through grants in 2015.

Locally, the Powell Valley Chamber of Commerce received $60,500, while the Heart Mountain Interpretive Center’s portion amounted to $10,000. Cody received $138,706 that went toward the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce, Buffalo Bill Center of the West and other local organizations. In Meeteetse, $24,500 went toward its visitor center.

The lodging tax has provided an important stream of revenue for these local entities that likely would struggle to find other sources of funding.

Most of the money from the lodging tax — $1.4 million — was spent on marketing the area to potential visitors across America and internationally.

Travelers who stay in Yellowstone lodging located within Park County, such as Mammoth Hot Springs, pay the local 4 percent lodging tax. Last year, the tax generated $572,000 from visitors in Yellowstone National Park.

Most importantly, those visitors we attract spend more money at local restaurants, stores and other businesses.

Tourism is an increasingly vital contributor to the Park County economy — jobs and direct visitor expenditures — at a time when the energy industry is squeezed by low commodity prices. We’re blessed to live in such a beautiful place that draws travelers from around the world.

Visitors flocked to Yellowstone in record numbers this summer, and Park County directly benefits as they travel through local communities and stay in the area.

As Election Day quickly approaches, we encourage voters to consider every ballot measure on its own merit. Though you may have qualms about taxes, it’s quite possible you’ve never paid the Park County lodging tax since it was first passed in the 1980s.

Few local residents are burdened by the lodging tax, but many benefit from it.

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