Where is the Guest TAX money

Since July 2007 our local Hotels have flourished, the flood of 2007 basically filled the hotels up for months, then shortly after began the construction crews for the 45.1 million dollar new school, and remodeling.
So by my figures there have been millions collected in guest tax by our chamber that was to be used to promote tourism... I'm just curious as to what this money has been spent on, or where it will be spent in the future... Is it sitting in a bank drawing interest?

It's not drawing much, if it is!

They are buying the church across from memorial hall for a parking lot with it. Welcome to Independence.

Plan wrote:

They are buying the church across from memorial hall for a parking lot with it. Welcome to Independence.

How does buying a parking lot promote tourism?

Memorial Hall brings tourist to Independence per the commissioners and White says he is looking to the future. They had a big ad in the Reporter explaining Sunday. That probably cost also.

knee dropping hilarious wrote:

<quoted text>How does buying a parking lot promote tourism?

I agree. How many times a year do they have that many "big" events in the hall. Graduation and Neewollah? And the last few years the Saturday show of Neewollah attendance hasn't been the greatest. Also understand if your event brings people to Independence that will stay over and rent motel rooms,eat,etc.,the city will not charge to rent the civic center.

How much more can we all take. Spend,spend,spend this parking lot has nothing to do with guest staying at our hotels

If those in charge of the funds opinion is that it will encourage overnight guests then it is ok. Research the info on the guest tax. If I understood it then as long as you can make your opinion around people staying overnight then you could spend it on anything. No one will ever agree what to spend it on. So keep on spending. I think we should spend it on making handicap ramps to save our taxes.

wool over eyes wrote:

Since July 2007 our local Hotels have flourished, the flood of 2007 basically filled the hotels up for months, then shortly after began the construction crews for the 45.1 million dollar new school, and remodeling.
So by my figures there have been millions collected in guest tax by our chamber that was to be used to promote tourism... I'm just curious as to what this money has been spent on, or where it will be spent in the future... Is it sitting in a bank drawing interest?

As I understand various Chamber spokespersons, at least some of the money was or is being set aside for a streetcar (of all things) that would take tourists around this big city of ours; and as I understand the situation also, this was one of Hoite's many points of contention with the Chamber.

Anybody notice the rails showing through the asphalt at Penn and chestnut?

twbb wrote:

Anybody notice the rails showing through the asphalt at Penn and chestnut?

You'd better call Hoite right now.

opinion wrote:

If those in charge of the funds opinion is that it will encourage overnight guests then it is ok. Research the info on the guest tax. If I understood it then as long as you can make your opinion around people staying overnight then you could spend it on anything. No one will ever agree what to spend it on. So keep on spending. I think we should spend it on making handicap ramps to save our taxes.

Great point if they can justify a parking lot I'm sure they can spin it to justify something we actually need! If people can't walk down the sidewalk a few blocks to park then we have much bigger issues.

maybe the city should buy the old bowling alley and build a parking lot, look at the tourism that would bring in, its huge.
Who'd of thought, want people to come to Indy, just build a parking lot. I'd never thought of that, I must be stupid!

And look how many people that parking lot is going to feed! Amazing! They will be beating down the doors to bring their jobs to Independence.