At Athens City Council’s meeting Monday night, council members discussed an ordinance that would authorize the city auditor to change how the revenue from Athens’ Transient Guest Tax revenue is distributed.
If the ordinance is passed, 50 percent of the revenue would be allocated to the tourism fund, and 50 percent would be deposited into the general fund.
According to a previous Post report, the transient guest tax, which is charged to guests and visitors of Athens who are staying in a hotel, is 6 percent of the cost associated with their stay at the hotel.
Along with that, city council members discussed authorizing the mayor to enter an agreement to provide financial support for the operation of the Athens County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
City council members amended the language of the ordinance in order to extend the contract from one to three years.
“I think our tourism funds have gone up,” Councilwoman Michele Papai, D-3rd Ward, said. “It seems to me that it’s an appropriate way to help that organization.”
Councilwoman Chris Fahl, D-4th Ward, said the guest tax earns an amount of revenue for the city.
“One of the brightest spots that we have in the city is the guest tax,” Fahl said. “We win because we get 50 percent of that transient guest tax, and if the guest tax goes up every year, we’re getting 50 percent of that increase. It makes sense to be able to do long-term planning with a three year contract instead of a one year contract.”
Members also discussed the pending draft of the 2018 city budget.
“The various departments within the city is getting a budget together in the city that balances,” Councilman Jeff Risner, D-2nd Ward, said. “It takes a lot of heads to get together to (decide) what we can afford.”
Additionally, city council members talked about renovations to the ARTS/West building. Renovations would include an upgrade to the handicap ramp and updates to the bathrooms on the first level.
Those renovations will increase accessibility in the building, Athens Mayor Steve Patterson said.
City Council members also approved the Stimson Avenue Mural that will be painted for Athens Beautification Day on April 22, 2018. The mural currently there is more than 17 years old and will be white-washed in order to paint over it, according to a previous Post report. The new mural will depict the release of white doves and will be painted by Athens-based artist Keith Wilde.
“(Public art) is part of who we are,” Patterson said. “(We’re) trying to enhance the beauty of Athens, but also enhance the experience for those who are coming to visit and quality of life.”
