By By MIKE VOSS
Contributing Editor
Occupancy-tax revenues for Washington have increased in seven straight fiscal years.
The latest occupancy-tax figures — for fiscal year 2007-2008 — show the city collected $256,838 compared to $237,192 in the previous fiscal year. During that seven-year period, which begins with the 2001-2002 fiscal year, the city has taken in $1,430,708, according to the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development.
“I think the big thing it tells me is we are hanging in there in this bad economy. We are hanging on,” said David Gossett, a WTDA member, in a brief telephone interview. “I think if the economy had been better in 2008, we would have seen a much larger increase. … If the economy keeps turning around like some people say it’s doing, we should see more of an increase if that turnaround continues.”
Of the $256,838 collected in 2007-2008, the city kept $7,705 for administrative charges. The remaining $249,133 was turned over to the Washington Tourism Development Authority. Under state law, occupancy-tax revenues must be spent on programs and projects designed to bring more people for overnight stays or longer visits to areas served by those agencies.
Washington’s occupancy tax is 6 percent, meaning a hotel room that rents for $100 a day brings in $6 a day in occupancy-tax revenue.
In Washington, most of the occupancy-tax revenue goes to the WTDA. The city gets 3 percent of the revenue for performing administrative duties for the WTDA.
Beaufort County has no occupancy tax.
Hyde County collected $435,976 in occupancy-tax revenue in fiscal year 2007-2008. In the previous fiscal year, the county took in $ 397,214 in occupancy-tax revenue. From 2001-2002 through 2007-2008, the county took in $2,475,409 in occupancy-tax revenue.
The county’s occupancy-tax rate is 3 percent, meaning a room that rents for $100 a night generates $3 in tax revenue a night.
Martin County collected $252,918 in occupancy-tax revenue for fiscal year 2007-2008. During the previous fiscal year, the county took in $206,376 in occupancy-tax revenue. From 2001-2002 through 2007-2008, Martin County collected $1,003,971 in occupancy-tax revenue.
Of the $252,376 collected in fiscal year 2007-2008, the county kept $7,996 for administrative charges. Martin County Travel and Tourism received the remaining $243,330.
Martin County’s occupancy tax is 6 percent.
Washington County collected $121,115 in occupancy-tax revenue during fiscal year 2007-2008, down from the previous fiscal year’s take of $103,161 in occupancy-tax revenue. From 2001-2002 through 2007-2008, the county took in $727,439 in occupancy-tax revenue.
Washington County’s occupancy tax is 6 percent.