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Commission changes taxes
By Bridget
Hall Grumet INVERNESS - The County Commission decided to raise taxes Tuesday. They also cut them. The tax hike goes to tourists visiting Citrus County. The tax break goes to residents and businesses that have been paying the so-called "garbage tax" for the past five years, although commissioners warned the reprieve will only last a year. Commissioners voted 4-1 to increase the tourist tax, or "bed tax," charged on hotel rooms and other short-term lodgings, from 2 to 3 percent. The extra $160,000 in revenue will go to further promote Citrus County as a tourist destination, particularly when tourism tapers off during weekdays and the summer. "This group has a lot of enthusiasm and is brimming with ideas," said Commissioner Josh Wooten, referring to the county Tourist Development Council that spends the bed-tax dollars. "When you look at this a year from now, you're going to be glad you did this." Commissioners later voted 4-1 to waive the garbage tax for the coming year, keeping the promise they made in 1997 to drop the fee after the $5-million landfill debt was paid off. The landfill assessment for this past year had been $5 for homeowners and 31 cents per cubic yard of trash for businesses. "We need to live up to our obligation and our promise to rescind this fee," commission chairman Jim Fowler said. "It has served its purpose. The people have paid the bill." But there will still be future landfill costs, and residents will likely pay for them with a future assessment. The county needs to raise $5.9-million over the next five years to expand the landfill in Lecanto. Landfill officials wanted to start raising that money by keeping the $5 landfill assessment in place, an idea that earned Commissioner Roger Batchelor's support. "I think we need to be thinking down the road," said Batchelor, who cast the only vote against dropping the fee to zero. "We don't need to take a stance that is political. We need to do what is needed." Next year, county staff will propose an $18 or a $19 fee for homeowners to start saving for the next landfill expansion, County Administrator Richard Wesch said. Another $11 fee would be proposed to relocate a sand pile at the landfill, Wesch added. And if the County Commission next year adopts a plan for universal garbage collection, residents and businesses also would pay the county for trash pickup. "It's almost as if we're going to be nickel and diming everybody to death," Commissioner Vicki Phillips said. The county should hold public hearings next year explaining all of the landfill costs to residents at once, adopting one fee to cover everything and being honest about the life of the fee, Phillips said. "This is a one-time shot if you're going to zero-out (the landfill assessment) for this year," Commissioner Gary Bartell said. "The obligations of a landfill and the restrictions of a landfill are still going to be there." The tourist tax proposal drew less debate Tuesday, although Phillips voted against the 1 percentage point increase. The tax dollars would go toward additional brochures, television advertisements, a promotional video and other measures to draw more tourists to Citrus County. As more tourists come, Phillips said, they place a strain on the county-maintained boat ramps, roads and other infrastructure, but none of the tourist tax dollars help maintain those facilities. "As tourism continues to increase, we do
tax the infrastructure in Citrus County, and we need to address that," she
said. |
