Our view: Support our local lodging tax

Of all the choices voters will make Nov. 6, we think one decision involving the future of the county’s lodging tax should be a no-brainer.

The county’s lodging tax has been in place since 1991 and is only applied to people staying in the county’s hotels. This tax helps support many of the local events across Sweetwater County and is only applied to people staying at hotels. As such, it’s something Sweetwater County’s residents should support.

The tax not only supports local events, it helps the area’s two chambers of commerce and market the area to tourists interested in the region.

The main source of tourism comes from people coming through the area on their way to places like Yellowstone National Park or the Tetons.

According to Jenissa Meredith, executive director of Sweetwater County Travel and Tourism, the marketing campaign the group has enacted led to an $8.2 million economic impact in our area.

On top of this, direct traveler spending amounted to $157.1 million in 2017 and supports a tourism industry encompassing approximately 1,500 jobs.

The chambers also operate as visitors centers, introducing travelers to what both Green River and Rock Springs have to offer, as well as the adventures a person can take throughout Sweetwater County. While speaking to the Green River City Council last week, Lisa Herrera, director of the chamber, said the visitors center in Green River had more than 20,000 people visit it this year.

A number of those people came through due to events like the National High School Finals Rodeo and Flaming Gorge Days, both of which receive support through the tax.

The travel and tourism board’s goal is to put “heads in beds.” Yes, the board wants to increase the tax from 3 to 4 percent, but for a tax that residents rarely pay, it’s a good idea for our county.

As far as the tax rate goes, it’s important to know that Sweetwater County is the largest counties not levying the full 4 percent. Other counties, especially those based in tourism economies, have been charging that 4 percent for a long time.

It’s time the county’s lodging tax is brought in line with those other counties.

This is a decision that does not have any negative impacts and will only serve to support and grow our tourism economy.

We urge our readers to vote to retain the county’s lodging tax.