Kellogg voters to consider resort tax

KELLOGG - Saddled with a meager stipend to maintain roads, Kellogg officials say they may have found a way to fund road work - without a cost to residents.

Mayor Mac Pooler is proposing that Kellogg impose a Resort Tax, which will tax out-of-towners who vacation in the city. The 7 percent tax, which voters will consider on Nov. 8, would be in effect for 10 years.

City Councilman Todd Goodson said the money collected by the tax would go toward projects to improve city infrastructure. He was adamant that if the Resort Tax passes, it would not be paid for by residents.

"For years, we've been trying to figure out how to fund infrastructure paving. It's been tough to get paving, and we only have a budget of $3,000 for paving, which doesn't take you very far," he said. "By doing this, we are able to gain some revenue for grants and matches, and can make improvements to existing parks and recreation facilities."

Kellogg is able to take advantage of this potential tax because it is a city with a population under 10,000 that relies on tourism for its revenue. The tax will be on all overnight accommodations less than 30 days, and any excess revenue collected once infrastructure projects are finished will be placed into a designated property tax relief fund.

Pooler said that this could be a great opportunity to Kellogg to make some serious improvements to the town.

Estimates indicate the tax can generate between $100,000 and $200,000 per year in extra tax revenue for the next 10 years.