Council adopts change in hotel, motel tax

The cost of staying in a Superior hotel or motel could be rising slightly.

The 1½ percent increase in the hotel/motel tax approved by the Superior City Council this week is designed to leave the city’s museums better situated to give visitors something to do while in town.

The money the city collects through the tax increase will be distributed between the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center and the Superior Public Museums, which operates the SS Meteor, Old Firehouse and Police Museum, and Fairlawn Mansion for the city.

The money — an estimated $117,000 will be divided to give almost $110,000 to the Bong Center and the balance to the Superior Public Museums.

Mayor Bruce Hagen said he had discussions with the city finance director and Minor concerning ways the city can further support city museums in the face of declining revenue. He said while hotel and motel owners weren’t thrilled with the idea, they didn’t seem to have “heartburn” over the idea either.

Hotel and motel owners didn’t speak out against the ordinance change required to increase the tax.

“They understand and they also want to promote the city,” Hagen said during a recent finance committee meeting.

In addition to increasing the tax to support the city’s museums, the Convention and Visitors Bureau is planning to work more closely with museum, hotel and motel staff to ensure visitors know what’s special events are happening at the museums and developing special incentives at the museums geared specifically for hotel guests.

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