Board of Commissioners Approve Resolution Supporting Occupancy Tax Reform

Buncombe County Commissioners took a step to formalize their support for Occupancy Tax reform that would offer more spending flexibility. Following a short discussion during an Occupancy Tax Budget Amendment at the May 3 regular meeting, Commissioners Newman, Beach-Ferrara, and Wells requested the resolution be added to the agenda. The Board unanimously approved the resolution at their May 19 regular meeting that reads in part:

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners:

1. That this Board intends to seek amendments to the statutory authorities for uses of the net proceeds of the Buncombe County Occupancy Tax, while adhering to the North Carolina House of Representatives' Occupancy Tax Guidelines, to accomplish the following:

               a. To increase the percentage of funding that can be invested in tourism-related expenditures such as community infrastructure and related priorities.

               b. To decrease the percentage allocated to advertising.

               c. To increase the flexibility in the utilization of the non-advertising portion of the funding.

Chair Newman noted that the Board has seen this revenue explode beyond what anyone thought, and that revenue could be a real investment in the community. He added this is a recommendation as it applies to the 2022 general legislation short session. Commissioner Sloan added “I encourage us to think about this more holistically, about what we want and what the community will accept as we move beyond the short session.”

Click here to read the entire resolution.