Sports Bed-Tax Hike Sought

Warren County is asking Ohio to approve a new hotel-motel tax that would be used to finance construction of an outdoor sports complex.

The Warren County Convention and Visitors Bureau is pushing the legislature to support a 20-year, 1% increase in the county’s so-called bed tax.

The county needs General Assembly approval because the measure would push the tax to 4% from 3%, currently the state cap.

If approved, the county port authority would issue the debt on behalf of the county, according to local reports.

Lawmakers are in the midst of budget debates. State Rep. Ron Maag, R-Salem Township, reportedly tried to insert an amendment into the budget bill that would give county commissioners the authority to raise the tax, but it failed. 

At least one local legislator raised doubts that lawmakers would be willing to raise taxes, according to reports.

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