The town of Boulder Junction has approved a 1 percent increase in the town's room tax from 4.5 percent to 5.5 percent.
Boulder Junction Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kristen Tichacek says the Chamber's board asked the town board for the increase. She says after a public hearing and other discussion, the matter came to a vote Tuesday. The initial request for for a 2 percent increase. She says a compromise was reached with the town board for a one percent increase instead of two. Tichacek says the money will be used for town infrastructure and to promote tourism....
".....25 percent goes to the town of Boulder Junction, which they use for infrastructure. Things they've done with it include the great bike trails, Things they could do with it in the future is signage. Signage on the bike trails, signage in town, we're also looking at bathrooms downtown.... "
Tichacek says the extra money could possibly be used to create new events or to pay for some events now funded by state grant money that could be ending. She says they would like to improve on Boulder Junction's marketing even more than it has been. She says the chamber board thanked the members and town board for the action. The room tax is paid by visitors spending the night in lodging establishments..
The increase will take effect January 1,2017.
