There will be no change in Chautauqua County's occupancy -- or bed tax -- under a measure approved by the County Legislature. During Wednesday night's monthly meeting in Mayville, lawmakers voted 14-0 to keep the tax at 5% after a number of hotel and other overnight accommodation facilities voiced their disapproval. One of them, Peter Weimer of We Wan Chu Cottages, says his taxes nearly doubled after the Town of Chautauqua went to 100% of assessed valuation last year...
Peter Weimer: taxes nearly doubled
County Executive P.J. Wendel recently announced the proposal to raise the tax to 8% as a way to get more funding to improve and maintain Chautauqua Lake and other bodies of water. However, the idea fell flat with the entire legislature. The amendment to reduce the tax from 8% to 5% was made by Fredonia Republican Bob Scudder...
Bob Scudder: reason for keeping the tax at 5%
Fredonia Democrat Susan Parker, who also voted against the increase during the Administrative Services Committee meeting last week, said she feels there was a need for more study...
Susan Parker: there should be more study
It was pointed out that the higher tax, if given state approval, would not go into effect until next year. The current 5% tax is split up with three-fifths going to tourism-related activities and two-fifths toward lake and waterway maintenance and improvement.
