Tuesday is Election Day, but in only three locations in the Heart of Missouri. Pulaski County residents in the Swedeborg R-III school district will vote on whether or not to increase the school district's operating tax levy.
JEFFERSON CITY -- Jefferson City and Moberly residents will also be voting on lodging tax issues. And after viewers called us a bit confused by the city lodging tax questions, our FactFinder team went to work.
KRCG tells voters in both cities exactly what they need to know before they cast their vote.
"This tax is not paid by Jefferson City residents," says Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau Communications Director Sarah Stroesser. "So even though we are the ones that get to vote on the issue, we aren't the ones paying it. And at the same time, it benefits us as residents."
Proponents of the Jefferson City loding tax remind voters that the tax collected from visitors who stay in hotels and motels means money to promote what the Capital City has to offer. Those funds also help the Convention and Visitors Bureau get large events to come to Jefferson City, like the state track and field competition and the Tour of Missouri.
"We get about $450,000 from the lodging tax each year. And we're bringing in approximately $2 million," says Stroesser. "So, I think that we're doing a good job of increasing the visitors, increasing the revenues that are coming in."
The ballot measure in Jefferson City is not asking voters to increase the Jefferson City lodging tax. It simply asks voters to approve keeping the current three percent tax.
On the other hand, the City of Moberly is asking for an increase to its lodging tax. They want to up the tax from two percent to four percent. The current two percent tax is generating about $50,000 for the city. Proponents say a higher tax means more money to market the City of Moberly with and pay for special events.
We checked around to show you how those lodging taxes stack up to others in the Heart of Missouri. Columbia's lodging tax is four percent. Sedalia's tax is not a percentage, but rather a two dollar a night fee. And Lake of the Ozarks visitors pay a three or five percent tax depending on which county you stay in.
You can take a look at the ballot measures for Tuesday's elections in Randolph and Pulaski counties. Jefferson City voters can follow the link below to the Cole County clerk's website to view their ballot.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKRCG