A look at lodging tax rates around the Southeastern Conference

At last Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Bob McDavid set the gears in motion for a lodging tax rate increase from Columbia’s current 4 percent up to 7 percent. McDavid pointed out what he perceives as drastic shortcomings at the Columbia Regional Airport before discussing the lodging tax, saying that the airport would be up-to-date — if it were 1969. Though the report only suggests using the increased revenue to pay for terminal additions, in consecutive council meetings McDavid has been quick to point out the need for improvements at the airport to attract more flights and business — a conversation that has been going on for the better part of a decade.

City Manager Mike Matthes is also on board to increase the services available at Columbia Regional Airport, which has seen a 250 percent increase in departing traffic and a 246 percent increase in incoming traffic annually since 2008, according to figures from its website. During an interview on KBIA’s weekly “Intersection” program, Matthes said he’d like to see the city add a connecting destinations from the airport in addition to its current flights to Memphis soon.

“I’d love to say it’s going to happen this summer, so I will,” Matthes said in response on the program to a question about new flights. “… That’s what we’re shooting for. I think all the tumblers are in place. We just have to, you know, make it happen.”

Assistant Manager Tony St. Romaine confirmed that Dallas and Chicago are on the table as possible destinations for connecting flights out of Columbia.

The staff report included tax rates for multiple Missouri cities and a national average of 13 percent, but failed to mention how Columbia would stack up to other SEC cities. With Tiger fans traveling to locales such as Gainesville, Fla.; Knoxville, Tenn.; as well as that other Columbia in South Carolina, and with fans flowing in from the universities of Alabama, Georgia and Kentucky this year, the proposed lodging tax rate would make Columbia competitive with several cities in the SEC. Athens, Ga.; Auburn, Ala.; and College Station, Texas all have lodging tax rates of 7 percent, and Baton Rouge, La. and Tuscaloosa, Ala. both have rates much higher than that.

Here’s a list, in descending order, of lodging tax rates in each of the cities the 14 members of the expanded SEC (to be unveiled July 1) call home.

Town (University) Population*; Lodging tax rate

1. Baton Rogue, La. (Louisiana State University) 229,493; 13 percent
2. Tuscaloosa, Ala. (University of Alabama) 90,468; 10 percent + $1 per room per night
3. Athens, Ga. (University of Georgia) 115,452; 7 percent
   Auburn, Ala. (Auburn University) 53,380; 7 percent
   College Station, Texas (Texas A&M University) 93,857; 7 percent
4. Nashville, Tenn. (Vanderbilt University) 601,222; 6 percent + a $2.50 per room per night charge to fund convention center
5. Lexington, Ky. (University of Kentucky) 295,803; 6 percent
6. Gainesville, Fla. (University of Florida) 124,354; 5 percent
7. Columbia, Mo. (University of Missouri) 108,500; 4 percent (proposed increase to 7 percent)
8. Columbia, S.C. (University of South Carolina) 129,272; 3 percent
   Knoxville, Tenn. (University of Tennessee) 178,874; 3 percent
9. Fayetteville, Ark. (University of Arkansas) 73,580; 2 percent
   Starkville, Miss. (Mississippi State University) 23,888; 2 percent
   Oxford, Miss. (University of Mississippi) 18,916; 2 percent

* Population estimates based on 2010 Census figures

Not everyone is in favor of the proposed tax increase, however. Last week, the Columbia Hospital Association issued a news release arguing against such a substantial increase in the lodging tax. The president of that association, Jevon Jerke, said, “When you raise the rate, even just a few dollars, it really changes how you’re perceived out there.”

What do you think? Should Columbia put 7 on the board to keep up with their new SEC rivals?

Curious About City Council Candidates?

Five Columbia natives managed to gather the 60 signatures necessary for a spot on the City Council ballot for the 2nd and 6th Wards in April. Check out who cast their lot with whom right here at The Watchword:

• Ward 2 petitions – Mike Atkinson, Bill Pauls, Michael Trapp

• Ward 6 petitions – Barbara Hoppe (incumbent), Bill Tillotson

Don’t forgot to cast your vote April 3.

City Council News Roundup — 1/17

Perhaps eclipsed in visibility by the buzz surrounding Gov. Jay Nixon’s State of the State, City Council met Tuesday evening to consider items, including a increased lodging tax and snow clearance routes, comprising a hefty docket. Here’s what you missed while you were caught in the political crossfire:

Downtown license fee tax repealed

A special tax applied to downtown businesses’ license fees was repealed in the transition of governing bodies at the helm of The District. Though downtown businesses have been paying the relatively minor tax for years, executive director of the Downtown Community Improvement District Carrie Gartner said the repeal aims to relieve some of financial burden on Columbia businesses. Read more…

New fitness track at West Junior High may receive city funding

The Columbia Public School District requested authorization to apply an annually appropriated sum derived from the 2010 Parks Sales Tax to the reconstruction of the fitness track and field at West Junior High School. The resulting ordinance mandates that the new facility, which West Principal Sandra Logan said was of much higher quality than its predecessor, will be available for public use when not in school use. Read more…

Council seeks 3 percent increase in lodging tax

Mayor Bob McDavid called for immediate efforts to advance a bill through the Missouri General Assembly that would grant the council authority to increase Columbia’s lodging tax by 3 percent with voter approval. The language of the proposed legislation has no specifications for the use of the estimated $1.5 million in additional yearly revenue, but McDavid identified a $17.1 million renovation of a “totally non-ADA compliant” terminal at Columbia Regional Airport as his top priority. Read more…

Greyhound asks to use Wabash Station

Greyhound Lines, Inc. is commissioning the city of Columbia for use of Wabash Station in an effort to cut operating costs. The request received largely positive feedback from both the council and members of the public, though issues of hours of operation and space were discussed. A contract negotiation is pending and will be brought before the council for approval upon completion. Read more…

District taxi stands a success

City staff introduced a proposal to make downtown taxi stands, the products of an early 2011 pilot project, permanent. Citing problems in visibility and motorist compliance, the district has also recommended the installation of signs and checkered curb paint. Read more…

Humane society funding faces opposition

Two annual funding contracts with the Central Missouri Humane Society were moved from the consent agenda at the request of No Kill Columbia representatives. The first provides $120,280 for animal control services, while the second grants the humane society an additional $20,000 in staggered increments for veterinary services, such as sterilization and vaccination.

In makeshift public hearings, No Kill Columbia asked the council to delay ratification of both contracts for 60 days in order to appeal to CMHS on issues of space efficiency and the inclusion of area veterinarians in their spay and neuter voucher program.

Both contracts were passed, but the council expressed interest in performing additional evaluations of CMHS’s activity to ensure funding is being used appropriately.

Snow removal remains hot topic

Sidewalk snow removal was discussed at length following the introduction of a report compiled by the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission ranking Columbia streets by clearance priority. Several concerns surfaced, including the downtown focus of the map, what to do in the case of deteriorating sidewalks and the potential for disabled homeowners along high-priority streets.

The council considered two solutions.

Touting former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s example, Councilman Fred Schmidt expressed a desire to temporarily employ citizens to clear sidewalks in snow emergencies. The length of the stretch to be cleared, 31 miles, would be problematic to this proposal.

McDavid, on the other hand, praised “the culture of volunteerism” in Columbia. According to the Volunteer Hour Report, 50,000 volunteer hours were logged by Columbians in 2011. He suggested turning to neighbors and ourselves in times of snowfall.

“We can do this as a team,” McDavid said.

The council has requested a citywide map of priority sidewalks from the BPC and will in the meantime encourage volunteerism among the citizens of Columbia to ensure accessible sidewalks during winter weather.

The Daily Dish – Dec.16

MU relies on retention programs to keep science, engineering, math majors on track by Kate Everson, Columbia Missourian.

MU has a higher retention rate  in science, technology, engineering and math majors. This article shows how MU encourages from the freshman year to keep interested in your major.

Columbia Star Dinner Train popular in first five months by Kelly Cohen, Columbia Missourian.

For five months the Columbia Star Dinner Train has been doing trip rides between Brown Station Road in north Columbia and Centralia every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Kadeem Green makes an impression in Missouri men’s basketball victory by Zach Miller, Columbia Missourian.

A sports story that focuses on how player can shine in a game. Kadeen Green played on Thursday Dec. 15 against Kennesaw State.

The Daily Dish – Dec.15

Organizations helping college students become more active in elections  by Anna Carlson, Columbia Missourian.

Members of Mizzou Change Today,  a group affiliated with Students for Barack Obama, encouraged students to register to vote. The article is accompanied with a graphic that shows the number of people between 18 and 24 years old who registered and voted in Boone County.

BOONE LIFE: Walking into a collector’s house, walking into the ’50s by Ellen Thomesen, Columbia Missourian.

A BOONE LIFE little piece about Sandi Adams, a woman that has been a collector since the adolescence. Adams is specially nostalgic for the 1950′s.

Public school teachers learn to spot hints of suicide through MU program by Yiqian Zhang, Columbia Missourian.

According to a 2007 report from the Centers for Disease Control, suicide is the third leading cause of death among people between 15 and 24 years old. The Mental Health Leadership Academy at MU opened five years ago to understand mental health issues impacting students.

Boys and Girls Club kicks off expansion project by Catherine Martin, Columbia Daily Tribune.

Thanks to the expansion the club will be able to serve  400 to 500 kids while now the serves around 135. It will also allow to have six new jobs. A ceremony was celebrated yesterday Dec.14 to celebrate this expansion.

The Daily Dish- Dec.14

Lost artifacts from Rocheport archaeological excavation recovered 29 years later by Alex Baumhardt, Columbia Missourian.

Ten boxes full of artifacts of the Ancient Native American were lost for almost 30 years. Brett Dufur, a former mayor of Rocheport, began the research ten years ago.

UPDATE: Tim Wolfe, new MU president, has strong ties to Columbia by  Zach Murdock, Columbia Missourian.

Yesterday the Columbia Missourian published a story announcing that Wolfe will be the next MU president.  This article is a more profound view of Timothy Wolfe. The Missourian also published a timeline of Wolfe.

 

Lauded prosecutor leaves for state job by Brennan David, Columbia Daily Tribune.

Richard Hicks will leave the Boone County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to take a job with the state.  He accepted a position as chief counsel for the Missouri Department of Public Safety.

Gold and Black bus routes in danger

The city is looking for a way to to balance the transit budget moving forward. With talks stalling between the city and students on a university partnership, the city is looking for ways to stay out of the red. One suggested way to do this was to cut the Black and Gold routes which are the most poorly funded because of bus contracts with apartments.

To inform those riding these routes, Columbia Transit distributed flyers informing riders of the potential change. Check it out:

What do you think?

The Daily Dish Dec. 13

Tommy Saunders helping Kewpies junior basketball player gain confidence by  Brendan Meyer, Columbia Missourian.

Tommy Saunders and Cecil Williams met through Big Brothers and Sisters. This story shows the interaction between them and how this relationship has motivated Cecil Williams to improve in  basketball.

 

Hospital Scanner scanner spot disease earlier by Jodie Jackson, Columbia Daily Tribune.

The scanner helps detecting cancer and other diseases much sooner than before. It costed $2.8 million.  According to David Brummett a radiologist at Boone Hospital, it is the most modern scanner in the market.

 

Timothy M. Wolfe to be the next MU system president , Columbia Missourian

The story is an email notification from Jennifer Hollingshead, the director of public relations for the University of Missouri System.

Timothy Wolfe will be the 23^rd system president, to be effective Feb.15, 2012.

The Daily Dish- Dec. 12 (and the previous weekend)

In testimony in Ryan Ferguson case, a question of memory - Sangeeta Shastry, Columbia Missourian

A really in-depth look at the issues with memory in the Ryan Ferguson case (about the 2001 killing of the Tribune sports editor.

Columbia Public Schools teachers reflect on growing poverty rate - Abby Eisenberg and Garrett Evans, Columbia Missourian

From the story: “38.9 percent of Columbia Public Schools students are enrolled in the National School Lunch Program, up from 31.1 percent in 2007, the year before the recession officially began. That’s 6,888 of 17,709 children.”  

Private Investigator takes case to state’s highest court, attacks vexing Missouri law - Brad Racino, Columbia Missourian

Ricky Gurley, a local private investigator, is taking a case to the Missouri Supreme court that can be interpreted to mean that research on people is a misdemeanor.  He’s doing it as revenge of being denied a license in 2010.

City decides not to fine Kroenke Group for Osco site violation - Brendan Gibbons, Columbia Missourian

A window of time was given for the owner of the property to move the construction materials without being fined, and it complied.

Ex-deputy charged in double homicide- Brennan David, Columbia Tribune

The charges come after Rice being taken into custody after a double homicide and “shootout with police” in Jefferson City.

Event- The Mayor’s Appreciation Breakfast

The Columbia City Council and Mayor Bob McDavid were honored for their service to the city at the  annual Mayor’s Appreciation Breakfast on Tuesday, Dec. 6. The breakfast, which took place the Frontier Conference Center at Stoney Creek Inn, had more than 200 people in attendance.

The Columbia Chamber of Commerce hosts the event with the help of a variety of sponsors, including State Farm Insurance and the Boone County Hospital. Vicki Russell, chair of the Board of Directors and editor at the Columbia Daily Tribune, emceed the event.

Professor of medicine in cardiovascular research Dr. Greg Flaker introduced McDavid to the gathering,  alternately thanking him for his dedication and ribbing him. Flaker lauded McDavid for his active community appearances and going above and beyond the obligations of the job. In addition, Flaker jokingly cited staying awake through the City Council meetings and changing Columbia Transit buses from KU colors to MU colors as some of the mayor’s greatest achievements.

McDavid thanked his staff and other city workers for their ability to work together.

“It’s a pleasure to see all of these activities coming together to create an even greater town,” McDavid said.

McDavid and all six Council members were awarded gift certificates to the Perche Creek golf club.

This year’s celebration was golf-themed in honor of Mayor McDavid’s love for the sport. Each table was decorated with golf balls and tees on a bed of astro turf. The theme continued into the lobby of the conference center where guests were invited to participate in a game of Wii golf.

Russel, who emceed the event, said that she won the Wii golf tournament. Mayor McDavid made parr.

Russel said that the breakfast is an important event because it recognizes Columbia’s elected officials for their dedication to the city and hard work.