The election is over, the community has spoken, and the vote on the Visitor Tax has passed.
So, what does an increase from 4% to 7% in the commonly referred to “hotel/motel tax” mean for the residents of Guthrie?
The April 5 election result will simply lead to welcome enhancements to the infrastructure of the city. Guthrie residents are not subject to the Visitor Tax, and will have no increase in their current taxes.
However, for visitors from outside of Guthrie, such as hotel guests, bed and breakfast guests, and short-term renters, it means there will be an increase in the charges for staying inside the city limits. It is not a radical amount -- 7% of a $100 hotel room only would reflect a $3 additional charge.
That small amount, however, can make a huge impact in the quality of care for the sports facilities and parks in town. The increase is projected to bring in roughly $380,000 in 2022, as opposed to $215,918 if the 4% tax would still be in place.
The tax increase will begin July 1, adding to the state, city and county taxes for a total of 13% on visitors’ hotel or bed and breakfast bills.
According to City Manager Leroy Alsup, the additional 3% charge will go entirely to building new sports facilities and maintaining the current facilities, while the money allocated for tourism and park maintenance will remain unchanged.
“Our desire is to build three new softball fields, which we have the grant for, and modernizing the two existing ones,” Alsup said. “Another significant project in motion is moving the youth baseball field to higher ground out of the floodplain.”
The city had been awarded the competitive Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant from the Oklahoma Department of Tourism for $1 million, which the city matched in helping to build a youth sports complex at Owens Field Softball Complex. It shows how serious the city is in helping the public spaces flourish.
In the end, Guthrie will have more tourists and, in turn, local revenue will increase for the town, benefiting both the city and the community.