By Roger McKinney
rmckinney@joplinglobe.com
COLUMBUS, Kan. — The Cherokee County commissioners today will discuss ideas for a hotel and motel guest tax with residents and hotel and motel owners.
“We’re just trying to get as much feedback as we can,” said commission Chairman Richard Hilderbrand on Friday.
He said that under an idea being considered, hotel owners in Baxter Springs who recently experienced a guest tax increase by the city wouldn’t have anything further to worry about from the county.
The Baxter Springs City Council had approved an 8 percent hotel guest tax that took effect Jan. 1. The city previously had no hotel tax. Combined with the existing 2 percent county guest tax, the total went to 10 percent in Baxter Springs.
Amy Sanell, co-owner of Cafe on the Route and The Little Brick Inn, and Paul Gandhi, owner of Baxter Inn for Less, recently appeared at a Baxter Springs City Council meeting to complain about the increase. Gandhi at the time said they also would be at the county meeting
Hilderbrand said County Counselor Kevin Cure was researching to determine if the county could approve a hotel and motel guest tax that would apply only to new hotels and motels with 15 beds or more.
He said the commissioners aren’t wanting to create another burden for business owners in the difficult economy.
“We’re trying to be optimistic,” Hilderbrand said. He said someone in the future may build a hotel or motel near Orthopaedic Specialists of the Four States in Galena, or in Cherokee County near Downstream Casino Resort or another casino, if one is built.
He said no percentage increase for the tax has been discussed.
“We’re just kicking around ideas right now,” Hilderbrand said.
He said that if a new tax were approved, it would be used to promote tourism in the county.
“What we’re hoping for is a countywide tourism board that would be very proactive in promoting tourism,” Hilderbrand said.
Commissioner Jack Garner also said he doesn’t want to create an additional burden on business owners, especially considering that the state is considering increasing the statewide sales tax by 1 percent.
