Officers tout tourism tax as finest method to deliver guests | Information

Voters will go to the polls today to decide whether the county will have a property tax similar to the one that the city of Tahlequah has already introduced.

During a December 2020 meeting, the Cherokee County Commissioners approved the introduction of the housing tax on the February vote.

The proposed tax is 4 percent of gross rental income, and 25 percent will go to Cherokee County for roadside beautification and trash removal. The other 75% is used for tourism marketing, advertising and promoting accommodation, other local businesses and county attractions.

Gena McPhail, tourism director at the Tahlequah Chamber of Commerce, said 12 counties in Oklahoma have a property tax.

“We are the only county with a proposed property tax that is giving back to the county for beautification,” McPhail said.

Cherokee County will annually enter into a contract with a tourism agent who works with a council of 13 statewide tourism stakeholders – including representatives from county, river and sea companies.

“The committee will be represented by stakeholders from across the county such as owners of AirB & Bs, hotels, marinas, park staff, etc.,” said McPhail.

The committee will be involved in annual marketing plans as well as approving and entering budget decisions. Information on where and how the funds will be used will be publicly disclosed, McPhail said.

She added that the Cherokee County Commissioners will oversee the lodging tax.

District 3 commissioner Clif Hall said officials would use the funds to help clean up the entire district.

“We were talking about resuming poster competitions for children in elementary school,” Hall said. “Maybe they came up with a slogan and maybe took it and displayed it on a calendar or a billboard. That is our main goal from the point of view of the county, with the funds from this accommodation tax.”

McPhail said there are several ideas to improve the look and feel of the entire county.

“The 25% of the tax goes towards roadside beautification, extra dumpsters, extra roll-offs, educational programs and teaching kids the importance of picking up their trash, not polluting it, and caring for our environment,” said McPhail.

McPhail owns a marketing company and Genny Maiden, who is on the Tourism Council, owns a B&B in Terrapin Creek. McPhail said their companies are not getting any property tax money back.

“AirB & B collects that for you and then sends it to the county, then to the state, and so on,” McPhail said.

The goal of the property tax is to help Cherokee County’s citizens and business owners, she said.