Jefferson City voters approve lodging tax extension

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Jefferson City residents voted Tuesday on whether the city's lodging tax will be extended an additional 25 years.

Voters approved the measure with 53.9% of the vote. There was a 15.61% voter turnout this election. There were 4,397 total votes cast, with 2,371 in favor and 2,026 against.

The lodging tax is a 7% tax paid by visitors staying in hotel and motel rooms, as well as short-term rentals. Voters first approved the tax in 2011, lasting until 2035. The tax was extended through 2060.

The city uses 3% of the tax to fund its Convention and Visitor's Bureau, the other 4% goes into the city's Conference Center Fund. Since 2011, the tax has brought in around $13 million to the Conference Center Fund.

At the end of October, the Jefferson City Lodging Association filed a lawsuit against the city over the tax saying it violates Missouri law. In response, an attorney for the city filed a motion to dismiss the case saying the association doesn't have standing to sue.

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