Council Proposes Doubling Warrensburg’s Lodging Tax Rate

Warrensburg voters will decide if they want to increase the city's lodging tax from 2 1/2 percent to five percent on April 2.

The Warrensburg City Council on Monday night voted to place the issue on the ballot.

The language on the ballot will read:

"Shall the municipality of the City of Warrensburg, Missouri increase the
current lodging tax of two and one-half percent (2.5%) to five percent (5%)
on sleeping rooms for transient guests of hotels and motels in the City for
the purpose of funding promotion of the city as a convention, visitor and
tourist center?"

The average national lodging tax rate is around 13 1/2 percent, according to Consumer Reports.

Warrensburg's rate has been at 2 1/2 percent since approved by voters in 1998.

The increase is the maximum amount that Warrensburg can assess by state law, according to City Manager Harold Stewart.

The Council approved the measure unanimously with no public opposition heard from those in attendance at Monday night's City Council meeting.

Proceeds from the increase will be used for funding by a not-for-profit organization for the purpose of promoting tourism, the City said.