To the Editor:

I think your readers and the voters in Park County would appreciate knowing the facts about the new statewide lodging tax that will be imposed Jan. 1, 2021.

Historically, the Wyoming Office of Tourism and all the travel promotion for Wyoming was funded from Wyoming’s General Fund. Many of Wyoming’s services are funded from this same fund which has seen significant reductions requiring budget cuts and the elimination of programs. For this reason, our Wyoming travel and hospitality industry backed a statewide 3% lodging tax that would be used to fund the Wyoming Office of Tourism and Wyoming’s promotion. At the same time, the Legislature also approved an additional 2% statewide lodging tax that would be returned to the county/city lodging tax board where it was collected.

This 2020 General Election includes the question for renewal of our 4% Park County Lodging Tax. If this is approved by Park County voters, the state will impose only the 3% lodging tax – meeting the Wyoming lodging tax cap of 7%.

The 2024 General Election would then ask Park County voters the question whether or not to impose a 2% Park County Lodging Tax. If this local tax passes, the statewide lodging tax levied in Park County would increase to 5% — 3% for the Wyoming Office of Tourism and 2% for the Park County Travel Council as stated in the Wyoming Lodging Tax legislation. These taxes will not exceed the 7% Wyoming lodging tax cap.

Claudia Wade

Park County Travel Council