TOURISM: Time to make it pay

Like The Press and others I know it’s time for our city to generate incremental operating revenue from visiting tourists. I am writing to support city council collaboration with our state representatives to lobby the state to amend Idaho Code Sections 50-1044 and 50-1046. This statute allows “resort cities” dependent on tourism to collect special visitor taxes. Because Coeur d’Alene has over 10,000 residents, we are currently excluded.

Idaho’s statute acknowledges that towns with high tourist demand need financial relief beyond local property taxes to maintain heavily impacted infrastructure. Nearby destinations like Sandpoint, McCall and Stanley successfully use these special tourist taxes. This is a common and proven practice around the world.

Our 55,000 residents fund nearly 50% of the annual budget through property taxes, which face constant increases. Meanwhile, approximately 600,000 annual visitors heavily impact our roads, parks, public safety, and Lake. Keeping Coeur d’Alene beautiful, clean and safe is expensive. While we get some sales tax return from hotel and short-term rental stays and from various service fees, it’s not enough to offset the annual and long-term cost of infrastructure wear.

The State currently limits “resort city” status to municipalities with 10,000 residents or fewer. As the largest driver of tourism revenue in Idaho, Coeur d’Alene deserves an exception to this statute. If put to a vote, I expect our residents would pass this measure with a supermajority which will be required.

KRIS JAMTAAS

Coeur d’Alene