12/18/2025
The Washington County commissioners are poised to alter how they distribute more than $2 million in hotel tax revenue given annually to promote tourism, although the head of the county’s tourism agency said the proposed plan would violate state law and could lead to a lawsuit.
Commissioners Nick Sherman and Electra Janis want to create a partnership between the county and the Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency that would send 75% of the hotel tax money to a joint fund that would require agreement on how the funds are spent.
The tourism agency would receive 20% of the remaining revenue and the county’s treasurer would receive 5% as an administrative fee. The changes also include plans to jointly “pursue the creation, funding and construction” of a sports recreation and convention center.
The 5% hotel tax brought in about $2.2 million in revenue last year, and the tourism agency received 96% of that money, just as it has since the county’s hotel tax ordinance was last amended in 2017.
READ MORE: https://www.observer-reporter.com/news/local-news/2025/dec/17/commissioners-look-to-change-how-hotel-tax-revenue-is-disbursed-to-tourism-agency/
