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CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – This week, the City of Clarksville voted to create its own Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism in hopes of further prioritizing these activities for local residents and visitors. . The city council is currently considering a proposed 4% hotel occupancy tax to fund the authority.
“Our city and its growth point to the need to elevate not just the performing arts, but all the arts, all the arts, from singer-songwriters to dance corps,” Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts told the News. told 2.
The new ACT authority will be responsible for funding the Customs Museum, the Arts and Heritage Council and the Roxy Theatre.
The authority will also be responsible for funding the Roxy Theater, which will be rebuilt as a new performing arts center. Pitts told News 2 that certain laws prohibit local governments from making “loans for credit.” This means that taxes, including ad valorem and sales taxes, cannot be used to finance the debt of such projects.
“We had to get creative with funding and this option was the best option for us. The occupancy tax is pass-through and will go directly to the tourism development authority,” Pitts said. .
The proposal would add to Montgomery County’s current hotel occupancy tax of 8%, bringing the occupancy tax for hotels and motels in the area up to 12%.
“I believe this will give them a dedicated source of income and also be more stable in terms of funding, because currently they rely on the city’s general fund and all other services ‘Because we’re competing with ‘all we provide is public safety, parks and general operations,”’ Pitts explained.
| Read more | From the latest headlines Clarksville and Montgomery County
The tax will generate an estimated $2.2 million in revenue for ACT authorities annually.
On Monday, February 26th, the bill was passed on first reading, with nine councilors voting in favor of the tax, one voting against it, and one councilor calling for time to consider the bill. He abstained asking for more.
A second reading will take place on March 7, when the city will vote on whether to pass the tax or further debate the bill.
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