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Last updated on Thursday, March 31, 2016
(BLOOMFIELD) - The Greene County Council discussed this week the possibility of implementing an Innkeeper’s Tax.
The Greene County Daily World reports the idea for the tax stems from the revenue gained going to promote the various tourist sites for Greene County. Only two other Indiana counties do not have an Innkeepers Tax - Martin and Clay.
County Attorney Marvin Abshire presented an outline of what the tax will encompass. The current uniform county statute for Innkeeper's Taxes is 5 percent of motel, hotel revenue. The statute also outlines what revenue the tax can be collected on such as: cabins, bed and breakfasts.
If adopted,county officials would be responsible for reporting the amount of revenue receive from the tax. The Convention Visitors Bureau would be administrating the funds and since it is a volunteer-based organization, there would be little expense. The Tourism Visitors Bureau will be appointed by the commissioners and two of the appointments must be in hotel business.
Though the full details are still being developed, Abshire will have a full draft of the tax available for the council during its next meeting in April.
Brianne Jerrels, Executive Director of Greene County Economic Development Corporation told council members if the tax was implemented last year, the Tourism Advisory Board could have collected $25,491 in funds.
The tax would help fund the spread tourist brochures throughout the state.
Officials say they have received request from other counties wanting brochures at their visitor centers, but the county has not been able to fill every request because of lack of funds.
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