Should County Seek Increase in Hotel/Motel Tax to Promote Local Tourism?

April 26, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Should the county’s hotel/motel tax be increased for marketing DeKalb County to promote local tourism?

During Thursday night’s meeting, third district county commissioner Tony Luna asked the budget committee to consider recommending to the full county commission action to increase the current 5% hotel/motel tax to 8%. Since the 5% tax was established for DeKalb County through a Private Act by the Tennessee General Assembly in 1995, the county commission would have to ask the state legislature to amend the private act in order to increase the tax to 8%. It would be next year before the state could make the change since the general assembly has concluded business this year.

The county projected the local hotel/motel tax this year to generate at least $210,000 but Commissioner Luna said the county has already taken in more than $232,000 with still two more months remaining in the 2023-24 fiscal year. The money derived from the hotel/motel tax goes to the county general fund.

With DeKalb County tourism growing, Commissioner Luna said it only makes since to increase the hotel/motel tax to promote local tourism because it’s the tourists who pay the tax and more tourists means more sales tax revenue to help fund schools and other local needs.

“In 1995 we (county commission) passed a private act establishing a hotel/motel tax and its at 5%. It’s never been raised,” said Commissioner Luna. “The budget estimate for this year was $210,000 but so far we’re already at $232,000 which tells us that we are really growing in this county and even in the last five years it (collections) shows the growth we have gotten out of this from just the tourists coming in,” Luna explained.

“If we raise that tax to 8% it will generate between $75,000 to $125,000 depending on how many people come here. I would like to see that 3% go toward marketing of our area including Smithville, Center Hill Lake, and DeKalb County as a whole. That will bring more people in who will stay in these short-term rentals and if we ever get a hotel or motel we will generate more funds from that. These folks (tourists) are going to come in and spend money here which goes on our local option sales tax, part of which is for schools and other projects we are trying to fund. Its almost like free money,” Luna continued.

“The last time you rented a place and went on a vacation, did you check and see what your (hotel/motel) tax was? Nobody does. They pay that fee,” said Luna. “Another good thing is that nobody local is going to pay it. Only visitors coming in,” he said.

“I would like to you (budget committee) to look it over. I would like to see it be earmarked just for the marketing of this area because it will pay us back in dividends on the back end. Suzanne Williams (Chamber Director) applies for grants all the time and she has gotten $450,000 in grants so far this year but there are some grants she doesn’t apply for because they are matching grants and these are funds we could use toward that. We might turn $10,000 into $100,000. If you look at this area, Center Hill Lake is the number one search (by tourists) and the Jamboree is second, but the Jamboree is only for one weekend. We have 51 other weekends that we could do something and that’s why I would like to see this happen,” said Luna.

The budget committee has not yet acted on Commissioner Luna’s request.

April 26, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County’s local option sales tax collections for March, 2024 were up compared to February and better than March 2023’s numbers.

According to the Tennessee Department of Revenue, DeKalb County collected $145,744 in local option sales taxes in March, 2024, an increase from $138,326 in February, 2024 and above collections of $141,411 in March, 2023.

Smithville’s collections for March were $371,116, an increase from $359,089 in February and up from $361,475 in March, 2023.

Alexandria’s local option sales tax collections stood at $26,942, down from $30,420 in February, and below collections of $30,847 in March 2023.

Dowelltown’s collections for March were $3,524, under February’s collections of $4,428, but better than $3,136 brought in for March, 2023.

Collections in Liberty stood at $14,130 in March, up from $9,948 in February, and better than $10,905 taken in for March, 2023.

Net collections for the county and cities combined for March were $561,458 up from $542,212 in February, and above collections of $547,776 in March, 2023.

March collections reflect activity for the previous month.

April 25, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Smithville Elementary would like to recognize its Teacher of the Month for April, Mrs. Tina Gash. SES recognizes one teacher each month for his/her outstanding performance in teaching and their contribution to the students at our school. The teacher of the month is selected by the administration at Smithville Elementary.

Some of Mrs. Gash’s many accolades from her coworkers include:

“Mrs. Tina is very friendly and very helpful.”

“She is always so kind and caring. She is always a soft speaker to her peers and students. She strives to help all her children!”

“What’s not to love about Ms. Tina Gash! She is always so sweet, kind and very helpful with anything. What you see, is what you get. She is the real deal.”

“Very sweet and great RTI teacher.”

“Mrs. Gash is a fantastic teacher! She is patient and kind to her students and always helpful to her fellow teachers and staff. She will be missed!”

“I can’t say enough positive things about Mrs. Gash. She is an exceptional teacher, friend and mentor. My child was blessed to be in her last class of first graders. I am forever thankful for the strong foundation she gave to him. She will be greatly missed around SES, but it’s time for her to be Nina full-time!”

“Mrs. Gash is a joy to be around, she is such a caring teacher!”

“Mrs. Gash is an amazing teacher, person, and friend. She always has the best interest of the students in mind, and does a phenomenal job.”

Congratulations Mrs. Gash, and thank you for your many years of service and dedication to Smithville Elementary. Enjoy your upcoming retirement, you will be greatly missed!