Bolivar City Council Vote 5 – 3 to Impose New Occupancy Tax
The Bolivar City Council voted to approve an occupancy tax of four percent on any and all hotel rental properties at its meeting on Monday, September 11, 2023. This tax will apply to hotels, Air Bed and Breakfast (Airbnbs), campgrounds, or any space in which rooms, lodgings, or accommodations are furnished to transients for consideration in the Bolivar City limits.
The purpose of this new tax according to the Resolution to Impose an Occupancy Tax 2023-012 is to support tourism in the area. The Resolution states, “this additional revenue will establish a long-term tourism fund to promote tourism in the City of Bolivar and Hardeman County”.
During the Bolivar City Council meeting, Mayor McTizic said, “This is an extra twenty to thirty thousand dollars worth of revenue that we can see coming into the City [annually] that’s not a tax on the current citizens.”
Council member Caroline Miller disagreed, “The people that are in the hotels here, unfortunately, it seems like a lot of the people are living in our hotels.” She continued, “This seems like a tax that’s going to hurt people that are already very vulnerable.”
Councilwoman Miller also commented on the funds being directed at tourism, “To say that this money is going towards tourism . . . we have just accumulated millions of dollars for tourism. Between the money we get for Sand Beach Lake, DEVCO spending four hundred thousand for Christmas . . . to charge these people more money . . . it would be different to say we were coming up with a fund to help with affordable housing.”
Councilman Chris Williams commented, “On a $45 a night stay at the Aristocrat you’re going to add $1.80. I don’t think it’s enough to break them.”
After discussion, Suzanne Rhea motioned to approve the resolution which was seconded by Chris Williams. Council members voting in favor of the Occupancy Tax were Melvin Golden, Todd Lowe, Suzanne Rhea, Chris Williams, and Tommy Woods. Those voting against were Mike Brown, Larry McKinnie, and Caroline Miller.
Tourism related projects that have recently been announced include Mayor McTizic’s request to seek funding for a multi-purpose sports complex {read more about the sports complex here} and DEVCO’s allocation of $370,000 to help fund Bolivar’s “Small Town, Big Christmas” program beginning this Christmas season.
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