Oklahoma City Hotel Tax Shines

Oklahoma City collected $12 million from its 5.5% hotel tax in fiscal 2012, up almost 10% from fiscal 2011 and $668,000 more than expected when the budget was developed.

Assistant finance director Kenny Tsoodle told the city council last week that the total indicates Oklahoma City hotel business has returned to its pre-recession level.

“It’s returning to business as usual after the recession, and picking up some additional growth from events,” he said.

City Manager James Couch attributed much of the hotel tax revenue increase to the long playoff run by the Oklahoma Thunder of the National Basketball Association, and to high attendance at a college women’s softball championship series in the city.

“This is especially impressive given last year’s fiscal year revenues were up 8.8% over 2010’s fiscal year revenues,” Couch said.

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