One idea to raise revenue for the city of Rhinelander appears to be on long-term hold, but another idea resurfaced at the city council meeting Monday.
An idea to charge $500 to all drivers involved in traffic mishaps requiring city response has met resistance and was recently tabled within the city Finance committee. But City Administrator Blaine Oborn said during a report to the council a proposal to name Rhinelander as a premier resort tax area will return to the table...
".....we are taking a look at the Premier Resort Tax and I'll be bringing an initiative and big report and talking about the pros and cons and possibly implementing that in this area...."
The state requires a community petitioning for the tax to prove it is a tourist magnet.
A Premier Resort Tax is used only to pay for infrastructure expenses within the municipality. Whatever revenue is raised it goes to things like streets, sewer and water improvements. Eagle River adopted the Premier Resort Tax in 2006 and they charge 0.5 percent. Lake Delton, Wisconsin Dells and Bayfield also charge a Premier Resort Tax. Officials say the tax is allowed as tourists heavily use the infrastructure and local communities then are left to absorb the cost of the extra traffic.
The same items charged sales tax are taxed by the Premier Resort Area Tax.
