Columbia’s lodging tax increase will go on August ballot

Columbia voters will now decide on how Columbia Regional Airport’s expansion will be paid for.

The city council voted to put a lodging tax increase on August’s ballot Monday night, something that has drawn mixed reviews.

The plan would raise tax from 4% to 5% per night at Columbia hotels.

Businesses in town, like Veterans United and Shelter Insurance have shown support. They say an airport is critical in recruiting good people to work.

The University of Missouri said expanding the airport is vital to its nuclear medicine research.

Hotel owners in town, however, said they want more information on the airport expansion such as what it looks like and what the actual cost of the terminal would be.

The Holiday Inn Executive Center Director said the council should put it off to find a more suitable tax for the airport expansion.

Matthes expects that the 1% raise would collect $10 million a year.