Lodging tax supported

The Green River City Council agreed to support a resolution that would seek to place a 4 percent lodging tax on the November ballot.

Sweetwater County already levies a 3 percent lodging tax at its hotels and if approved by voters, will raise the tax by 1 percent.

The tax funds the Sweetwater County Joint Travel and Tourism Board, which then provides operating grants to the chambers of commerce and the Sweetwater County Events Complex. Grant funding to the chambers is done to help them function as visitor centers.

The board also provides grants for local events for promotion outside Sweetwater County. The tax exempts schools traveling out of area for competition.

Councilman Robert Berg said the tax isn’t something county residents pay unless they seek a night in a local hotel.

Mayor Pete Rust said similar taxes are levied on residents when they travel out of the county and thinks the county should do the same to promote itself.