Sally
Beach Fanatic
Walton Sun:
Walton County bed taxes were up last year despite the increase in storm activity.
Bed taxes increased 4.73 percent last year over the year before, said Tracy Louthain, public relations manager for the Walton County Tourist Development Council.
A total of $6,548,068 was collected last year, an increase of $295,619, Louthain said.
Bed taxes are collected on lodging revenue for temporary visitors. Although the TDC has been using a 4 percent bed tax rate since February 2004, the TDC numbers have been calculated at 3 percent for comparison purposes, Louthain said.
Walton County was on pace to have ?the most dynamic year? ever, Louthain said. June saw a $254,573 improvement than the year before, the Haas Center, which is part of the College of Business at the University of West Florida, reported.
Then Hurricane Dennis rolled through the area in July and the numbers fell sharply.
July 2005 took in $354,493 less in bed taxes than the year before and August was down $33,974, a Haas report said.
The Walton County TDC collects 4 cents on every dollar spent by visitors on temporary lodging for the bed tax, Louthain said.
The money gathered is divided among various programs within the TDC and pays administrative salaries. Some of the TDC programs include beach cleaning and nourishment, life guards and dune
Walton County bed taxes were up last year despite the increase in storm activity.
Bed taxes increased 4.73 percent last year over the year before, said Tracy Louthain, public relations manager for the Walton County Tourist Development Council.
A total of $6,548,068 was collected last year, an increase of $295,619, Louthain said.
Bed taxes are collected on lodging revenue for temporary visitors. Although the TDC has been using a 4 percent bed tax rate since February 2004, the TDC numbers have been calculated at 3 percent for comparison purposes, Louthain said.
Walton County was on pace to have ?the most dynamic year? ever, Louthain said. June saw a $254,573 improvement than the year before, the Haas Center, which is part of the College of Business at the University of West Florida, reported.
Then Hurricane Dennis rolled through the area in July and the numbers fell sharply.
July 2005 took in $354,493 less in bed taxes than the year before and August was down $33,974, a Haas report said.
The Walton County TDC collects 4 cents on every dollar spent by visitors on temporary lodging for the bed tax, Louthain said.
The money gathered is divided among various programs within the TDC and pays administrative salaries. Some of the TDC programs include beach cleaning and nourishment, life guards and dune