By Howard Packowitz
PEORIA, Ill. – (25 News) – A public hearing is scheduled Tuesday evening whether to impose a 1.5% tax for all short-term sleeping room rentals in Peoria to help fund tourism programs.
The tax would be part of a new tourism preservation and sustainability district, which city leaders believe could generate about $600,000 a year.
A memo said the city government would collect the tax and Discover Peoria, also known as the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, would form a committee to manage the funds.
The memo said the money would support marketing, advertising, public relations, sales, and destination development programs to increase tourism in the city.
City officials said they have received a dozen petitions from Peoria hotel owners supporting the tax, which satisfies the requirement that more than half of the hotels paying the tax must favor it.
The initial term of the tourism district would last five years, but it could be renewed for up to 10 years.
The public hearing is scheduled at the start of Tuesday night’s city council meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. in council chambers. Final action is expected at the Sept. 23 council meeting.
If approved, the new tourism tax would take effect Nov. 1.
