OCEAN CITY – Ocean City elected officials renewed the debate this week about a potential room tax hike with a sense of urgency giving the legislative framework for accomplishing the change.
During the council comment section on Monday’s virtual meeting, Council Secretary Tony DeLuca renewed his push for further discussion on a proposed increase in the resort’s room tax. DeLuca, who has been advocating a hike in the room tax to offset some of the budget shortfalls associated with the ongoing pandemic, pushed for a work session discussion on a proposed room tax hike as soon as next week.
After an often-fierce debate, the council in 2019 approved an increase in the resort’s room tax from 4.5% to 5%. Prior to that, the town’s room tax had last been increased for 4% to 4.5% in 2007. Even with the increase approved in 2019, Ocean City’s room tax is still considerably lower than the rate in many of the neighboring resort areas, which has led to DeLuca’s push to nudge it higher.
The last time around, while most on the then-council agreed a modest increase was needed, the debate centered largely on how best to spend the increased revenue. When the room tax was increased in 2007, a formula was developed wherein 2% of the revenue derived was dedicated to advertising and marketing the resort and that formula did not change with the last increase in 2019.
Oh YES, Biden is in now so TAX TAX TAX & SPEND !!!!
Politicians.
SCUM.
Only THEY could justify more taxes by telling us how long it has been since they raised them last time.
THAT is a good enough reason for them and if you consider the long term strategy, taxes will be at 100% before they are through gouging “we, the people”.
Start the hanging.
or, keep cheering.
Death knell. Who is going to come to OC when the Ocean is littered with wind turbines. Local businesses need for the council to ease taxes so that more people will be encouraged to visit.
Enough of the turbine talk. Everything on the table now has to be reassessed since minimal revenue came in (MD and OC) during this fiscal year. 1 Jul 2020 – 30 June 2021.
One fiscal year bubble (2020) screws the previous 2-4 years of future planning. Everyone goes back to the table figuring out where (1) cuts will happen; (2) eliminate nice to have items; (3) Kneel/bob to anyone up the political chain asking for money; (4) listen to everyone bitch.
Cuts will happen and counties/cities have to prepare. Furlough talk will come up again. OC is infamous with chasing the rabbit down the nice to have hole. Sad that never changes. OC will need to stroke anyone they can for fiscal help – this includes offering future concessions. OC will need to listen to the people and better NOT have closed door sessions during this time.
Stop smiling Rickie. Business 101 money lost on paper (errr which never came in) can never be earned/retrieved via increasing taxes. Never.
Hey City Hall….hows that airshow for this summer without a big attraction coming along? Asking for a friend of course.
(snicker snicker)