Lodging tax distributions go toward economic development

SHERIDAN — Voters will see a countywide 4 percent lodging tax on the primary election ballot. The three outlying municipalities in Sheridan County, along with the city of Sheridan and Sheridan County commissioners approved of the ballot measure.

With the measure going before the public in November, citizens and business owners shared concerns about how the tax was to be integrated and questioned the current funds being utilized through the already-established city lodging tax.

The city of Sheridan currently collects a 4 percent lodging tax on all lodging businesses within city limits.

During the 2016 election, voters elected to continue the 4 percent tax, 6,359 voting in favor of the tax and 1,512 against.

If the countywide tax is equally supported, it will replace the city of Sheridan’s current tax. So, instead of an 8 percent tax in the city, it will remain at the current 4 percent.

“We’ve had great and positive support from the outlying municipalities,” Sheridan Travel and Tourism executive director Shawn Parker said. “People have really seemed genuinely excited about the opportunity for all of us to market and work together.”

Another concern was if the tax would hurt local business by forcing lodges to increase prices. The tax would not impact the lodge owners, but instead would add a 4 percent tax to each night of stay on the consumers.

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