RES-2008-019 Resolution in Support of Increasing the Orange County Hotel Occupancy Tax

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~~S oZac~~~-o 1~' ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ~ ~ RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF INCREASING THE ORANGE COUNTY HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX WHEREAS, tourism is the number one industry in the southeast and the second largest industry in the state of North Carolina; and WHEREAS, according to NC Department of Commerce, tourism revenue in our county has increased from $67 million in 1992 to $137 million in 2006; and WHEREAS, a National Chamber of Commerce study compared the relationship between 100 manufacturing jobs to a community and 100 tourists and found that tourism produces significant revenues and is a clean industry because it requires little infrastructure, water or sewer and is a clean, non-polluting, non-consumptive industry; and WHEREAS, the Orange County region has seen a steady increase in hotels and now is home to more than 1,400 hotel rooms; 60,000 square feet of meeting space; 300 restaurants and 21 sightseeing venues and points of interest; and WHEREAS, marketing to the tourist and leisure traveler; selling our community to the conference, sporting and special event community; and servicing the leisure travelers and conference attendees has shown to provide a strong return on investment for our tax base and sales and occupancy tax revenues, while employing more than 1,700 residents; and WHEREAS, increased funding through a 1 % occupancy tax increase will provide an opportunity for marketing initiatives that will increase tourism and hotel and ancillary spending in our county; and WHEREAS, Orange County is being significantly outspent by competing tourism agencies in surrounding and regional counties and the addition of new hotels in the Triangle has begun to erode occupancy and revenues for Orange County properties; and WHEREAS, the funding of the Visitors Bureau does not impact property owners but is funded through a tax collected at hotels from visitors; and WHEREAS, Orange County hoteliers have lent their support to this 1 % occupancy tax increase; and WHEREAS, Senate Bi11622, Chapter 392, of the 1991 Session laws makes provisions for the Orange County Board of Commissioners, by resolution, to levy a room occupancy tax of up to three percent (3%) on any accommodation in the County; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Orange County Board of Commissioners bringing the tax up to strongly endorses a 1 % increase to the Orange County Hotel Occunancv tax three percent (3%) on the gross accommodation in the County. receipts derived from the rental of any room, lodging or similar This the 19th day of February, 2008 Barry Ja • _ Orange County Board of Commissioners