COLUMBIA, MO. -- Columbia city leaders are considering an increase on their city’s hotel and motel lodging tax from 4% to 7%.

Money from the additional taxes would pay for a new terminal at the Columbia Regional Airport.

Right now, the airport terminal can only handle about 50 passengers at a time.

The airport would need a larger terminal to support a second commercial airline.

City leaders say the cost of a new terminal is about $17 million.

Council members want to make sure their 7% lodging tax proposal meets state requirements before sending it to voters.

Columbia Mayor Bob McDavid said, “There is state legislation that limits hotel occupancy taxes at 5% for our convention centers.  It’s not clear if it limits it for airport terminals or not.  We need to clarify it, so if it is a route that we go, we have no legislative obstacles on the way.”

Council members will also talk about the approval of a new surveillance camera for Downtown Columbia.

Members of a group called “Keep Columbia Safe” want to donate $3,000 for a camera near the Cherry Street Parking Garage.

That’s the garage where a Columbia man was brutally attacked by teenagers in 2009.

Council members are not expected to take any final action on the camera purchase during tonight’s meeting at 7:00 p.m. at Columbia City Hall.