From the Indianapolis Star:
The Johnson County Council postponed a vote on a proposed 5 percent hotel tax until February.
After discussing the measure for about 90 minutes Monday, a majority of the council members called for a rewrite of the a proposal that would adopt the tax on visitors as a way to fund local tourism and marketing efforts.
“Why don’t we put what needs to be put in ordinance, get it in the proper shape, then come back?” Councilman Brian Walker asked.
In the nine county metropolitan area, only Johnson County does not have the so-called innkeeper’s tax.
Supporters say Johnson County is losing out because it does not have a convention and visitors bureau working, and spending money, to bring business into the area.
State law allows counties to collect the innkeeper's tax of up to 5 percent, which only can be spent to promote local tourism through brochures, websites and marketing.
The county attorney will rewrite the proposal to exclude some non-profits from paying the tax; make it effective on July 1; detail who selects tourism bureau board members; and to include a sunset provision requiring another council vote in four or five years.
The proposal will be back before the council on Feb. 10.
The proposed tax would bring an estimated $680,000 a year into the county.
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http://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/johnson-county/2014/01/13/johnson-county-council-postpones-hotel-tax-vote/4479387/
