BC 2008 01 22 Regular - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

January 22, 2008 (Regular Meeting) Page 693 ATTEST: /s/ Kay Honeycutt Kay Honeycutt, Clerk to the Board DeSales Wagster, President and CEO of the Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), presented a request on behalf of the Tourism Authority to increase the Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax from five to six percent. She reported the Tourism Authority unanimously endorsed the request at its December meeting and plans to use the additional revenue to market the County's new tourism infrastructure and construction of a new welcome center at Exit 99 on Interstate 65. She also responded to a variety of questions related to the CVB's budget, number of employees, number of hotels represented on the Tourism Authority, earmarking funding for the welcome center, etc. A general discussion ensued and the following issues were addressed: conducting a full-scale advertising campaign for the leisure consumer market; the CVB is the "umbrella marketing organization" for Cabarrus County; ongoing CVB accreditation efforts; the hotel/motel tax is paid by tourist, not County residents; e-marketing efforts; etc. Chairman White opened the public hearing at 7:97 p.m. The Public Hearing Notice was published on January 11 and 18, 2008 in THE INDEPENDENT TRIBUNE. There was no one present to address the Board; therefore, Chairman White closed the pubic hearing. Vice Chairman Juba MOVED to adopt an Ordinance Amending Article II of the Cabarrus County Code of Ordinances, Room Occupancy and Tourism Development Tax, Section 70-31. Commissioner Mynatt seconded the motion. After commenting on the following issues, Commissioner Privette stated his intent to vote against the proposal: being a member of the House Finance Committee when the original legislation was enacted that imposed a 3 percent hotel/motel tax; the concept of the legislation; if tourism is growing, then why is the additional tax needed; the affect of a high hotel/motel tax on convention recruitment; incentives for the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center; etc. The MOTION carried with Chairman White, Vice Chairman Juba and Commissioner Mynatt voting for and Commissioner Privette voting against. The Ordinance is as follows: Ordinance No. 2008-02 ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE II CABARRUS COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES ROOM OCCUPANCY AND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT TAX SECTION 70-31 Existing Text: Sec. 70-31. Levied. There is hereby imposed and levied within the county a five percent room occupancy and tourism development tax authorized by ratified Chapter 656 of the 1989 Session Laws (Regular Session, 1989), effective July 19, 1989. The tax hereby imposed and levied shall apply to the same extent and be subject to the same limitations as are set forth in said ratified chapter and section 70-31 of the Code of Ordinances of the county be and the same is hereby amended consistent herewith. (Res. of B-21-89, ~ 1; Res. No. 1998-26, ~ 1, 8-17-98) Sec. 70-31. Levied. Proposed Text: There is hereby imposed and levied within the county a ~ six percent room occupancy and tourism development tax authorized by ratified Chapter 658 of the 1989 Session Laws (Regular Session, 1989), effective July 19, 1969. The tax hereby imposed and levied shall apply to the same extent and be subject to the same limitations as are set forth in said ratified chapter and section 70-31 of the Code of Ordinances of the county be and the same is hereby amended consistent herewith. (Res. of 8-21-89, § l; Res. No. 1998-26, ~ 1, 8-17-98)