UPDATE: Rock Valley, Iowa — Rock Valley voters have approved a 7 percent hotel-motel tax on guests who stay in Rock Valley. There were 118 yes votes to 15 no. It passed by 88.72 percent. The money will stay in town and assist with recreation and entertainment, marketing the town, and help with local grants for special events.
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Original story, posted Tuesday, Mar 5, 2019 at 11:54 a.m.:
Rock Valley, Iowa — Voting is underway in the city of Rock Valley to decide if they want to impose a hotel/motel tax on guests who stay in their community.
According to City of Rock Valley personnel, if the proposal is approved by the Rock Valley voters, guests that stay at the Heartland Hotel & Suites or the GrandStay Hotel & Suites in Rock Valley will pay a 7% tax in addition to the 5% state excise tax on room rental. They tell us that if the measure is passed, it’s estimated that the tax will generate $60,000 to $90,000 annually. They say all the money will stay in Rock Valley.
The City Council has agreed that at least 50% of the revenue generated will be used for constructing or maintaining recreation or entertainment facilities in Rock Valley. The remaining funds will be used for marketing the community and funding local grants for special events and community projects.
City Administrator Tom Van Maanen says that they believe this is a unique opportunity to generate funds for trail construction, building shelter houses and many other projects that will benefit the community.
Van Maanen says that currently, there are 163 towns and 19 counties in Iowa that have already approved the Hotel Motel Tax. Locally Orange City, Sheldon, Sibley, Sioux Center, and Lyon County receive funds from a Hotel-Motel Tax.
The poll is open until 8:00 p.m. tonight at the Faith Reformed Church in Rock Valley.
