Durango City Councilors are asking residents to take a survey and help define what to do with approximately $1.3 million of unanticipated lodgers’ tax collections.
Voters in 2021 approved a ballot measure to increase the lodgers’ tax paid when someone rents a hotel room. Approximately $1.3 million in 2021 and 2022 is expected to be collected beyond was initially estimated, due to a huge post-COVID rebound in tourism. State law requires the money be refunded unless voters approve the city keeping the money.
City Councilors seek the survey feedback because they are considering a ballot initiative for November 2022 to keep and retain the excess revenues for one of the following areas:
- Arts and Culture
- Housing
- Transportation/Parking
All items have been considered high priority items under consideration by the City of Durango.
If the ballot issue fails, city staff has recommended the money be refunded through a rebate on city utilities. The results of an initial survey on how to spend the money are here.
To take the new survey, which should take less than a minute, click here. Council will discuss the survey results at the Aug. 16 council meeting.