Earlier this week, the Summit Board of County Commissioners decided to place a 2% lodging tax on the ballot this November for unincorporated areas of Summit County.

As the executive director of the Summit Alliance of Vacation Rentals, I am proud to support this tax. Summit Alliance of Vacation Rentals is excited to have the opportunity to show our industry’s support for important areas of local need.

Summit Alliance of Vacation Rentals will recommend a yes vote on this lodging tax and hope that when it comes time to vote this November, you will, too.

This new lodging tax will generate funds via vacation rental stays to provide financial support for critical area of need here in Summit County — workforce housing, childcare programs and supporting infrastructure needs.

Over the past year, Summit Alliance of Vacation Rentals has been seeking public feedback on ballot measure concepts from sales to excise taxes, fee-based fund growth and a variety of other creative fundraising solutions to show our support for the Summit County community. Through our research, we found that a lodging tax would be the best source of revenue according to voters, so we are happy to endorse the county in promoting this new 2% lodging tax. 

The ability for the county to propose this tax comes because of state legislation which passed this spring, House Bill 22-1117, which allows county governments the option to pose lodging taxes for use on items that support the local community. Previously, county governments were only able to impose lodging taxes to support destination marketing — but this new bill changed that, and we are happy to be able to take part in solving such important issues for our community.

We are excited for this 2% lodging tax and look forward to continuing to partner with Summit County government as additional progress is made in the local vacation rental industry.