OCEAN CITY — Legislation that could enable the town of Ocean City to raise its room tax if desired still needs approval from three other Eastern Shore counties before heading to Annapolis, resort officials learned this week.
After raising the room tax in Ocean City in 2019 from 4.5% to 5%, resort officials are looking into possibly raising the rate again, or at least the ability to raise the room tax rate. Gaining the ability to raise the room tax rate is a complicated process made muddier when a glitch was discovered in advance of this year’s General Assembly session.
In order to have the ability to raise the room tax rate, Ocean City obtained consent from Worcester County. While it is largely a local Ocean City issue, the ability to raise room tax rates would apply throughout the county, so any legislation aimed at that purpose must first go through the Worcester County Commissioners.
With the commissioners on board, town officials had a draft bill ready to submit to its representatives in Annapolis for General Assembly approval. However, it was learned at the 11th hour because Worcester is one of four “code” counties on the Eastern Shore, which also includes Kent, Caroline and Queen Anne’s, officials in those counties would have to consent to Ocean City’s submission of the draft legislation.
It’s important to point out the draft legislation proposed by the town would only provide Ocean City with the ability to raise the room tax. If the bill was passed by the General Assembly, the Mayor and Council would take up the debate on whether to raise the room tax rate and by how much, or if at all. Cursory discussion has included an increase by one percentage point, or from the current 5% to 6%.
How about solving the problem of getting folks here MIDWEEK. That has been the single issue for 10 yrs….marketing, bracelets, gas cards, etc did nada. Lost the Dew Tour because u wanted more money, has anyone seen the explosion of businesses in West O? To raise taxes you must have agree.ent from others. Fixing your midweek problems only requires action on the island, not anyone else. Query other resorts towns not north, but south because that is where the majority of folks have gone, leaving rift raft coming for short bursts and increasing problems.
Fix your preceived money problem inside first. I mean you made a new lane in the middle of the inlet parking lot not to move people, but because ALL of the empty lanes available. Dont you dare pat yourselves on the back either.
How about getting a professional company locked in for the 4th of July 2023 now. The ad hoc backup was awful.