In anticipation that in the future a hotel will be built in the city, the Collegedale Board of Commissioners Monday night voted to establish an occupancy tax on any hotel or motel within the city limits.
This is a broad ordinance, said City Attorney Sam Elliott, who told the commissioners that it would also apply to the Southern Adventist College when it rents rooms to people who come for conferences or when unused rooms and apartments are leased during the summer for temporary housing when people move to town. It also will apply to homeowners who rent space to college students.
In order to collect an occupancy tax two requirements must be satisfied. First, the city must be in a county that has a government-owned convention center. The county must also have an airport of a certain size. Hamilton County has both, which qualifies Collegedale to levy the tax. There will be a second and final vote on this ordinance at a future meeting.
The vote on a resolution to authorize mileage reimbursement to the city manager for automobile trips over 50 miles was moved to the first meeting in April. Vice Mayor Tim Johnson requested additional time to discuss the matter at the next workshop.
In his report to the commissioners, City Manager Ted Rogers asked for permission to sell a small piece of property adjacent to the pumping station. The vote to allow the sale for $3,700 to TDOT, which needs the land for road work, was unanimously approved.
Commissioner Katie Lamb asked Mr. Rogers to check on property along Little Debbie Parkway in front of the Integra dealership. She said she has noticed an accumulation of old equipment at that location and she wanted to make sure the space is not being used as a storage area by the owner.