Comments on: Public Hearing Thursday on 23% Lodging Tax Increase

By: Sarah Morgan

Sarah Morgan — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 19:33:59 +0000

Just wondering -- how do you KNOW council intends to pass this subsequent to the Public Hearing? The story states: "Council then intends to pass the tax increase at its regular meeting immediately following the public hearing." Council's intention is indeed known -- CLICK for the agenda.

By: Nancy Daniel Vest

Nancy Daniel Vest — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 18:58:49 +0000

While changing the Town's lodging tax from 3 cents per dollar to 3.7 cents per dollar is a 23 percent increase, it seems a strange way to report the facts of this story. Someone visiting our Town under the old tax schedule would pay a total of 10.3 cents per dollar with the largest portion of this money going to the State. Under the new plan, a visitor would pay 11 cents per dollar. This would be a 7 percent increase overall. CLICK for previous reporting on tax rates for the town, county, and state. If it "seems strange" to report the proposed percentage increase in the town lodging tax, does it also seem strange to report the percentage increase in town real estate taxes, instead of lumping the town tax together with the county tax and only reporting the combined percentage? The Wave's reporting focus is on Town Hall. --EDITOR

By: Fran Gunnarsson

Fran Gunnarsson — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 11:09:59 +0000

Here’s a novel idea: rather than increase the current town tax rate, track down, enforce and collect the current tax assessment due from the dozens and dozens of owners who are renting their homes out and are NOT registered with the town or state.