Explanation
Background: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to modify the current contract with the Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau, Experience Columbus, for the purpose of distributing an additional .43 percent to the 2026 Hotel-Motel excise tax (bed tax).
Columbus City Council passed ordinance 2063-2026 on June 29, 2026, to amend the current hotel-motel excise tax (bed tax) to increase the distribution by .43 percent, totaling 2.82 percent and to shift the Affordable Housing Trust (AHT) distribution to Experience Columbus. The increase will be approximately $1,433,086.98.
Emergency action is requested due to the code change, section 371.02 and the effective date of the funding shift outlined in ordinance 2063-2026 was July 1, 2026. The administrative needs of the auditor's office in the case of the cash flow needs of Experience Columbus, as we approach November and December. The auditor's office has been withholding the new disbursement amounts until legislation authorizing a new agreement is established; therefore, emergency action is respectfully requested.
Fiscal Impact: This legislation authorizes the Director of Finance and Management to modify the current contract with the Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau, Experience Columbus, for the purpose of distributing an additional .43 percent or approximately $1,433,086.98, for the continued marketing partnership within central Ohio.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to modify the current contract with the Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau, Experience Columbus, for the purpose of distributing an additional .43 percent for a total of 2.82 percent to the 2026 hotel-motel excise tax (bed tax); to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of an estimated $1,433,086.98 from the Hotel-Motel Excise tax Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($1,433,086.98)
Body
WHEREAS, Ordinance 2063-2026 ...
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