PANAMA CITY — Hoteliers with questions about collecting the city’s first ever bed tax can ask questions Tuesday at a meeting at City Hall with officials from the Bay County Clerk of Court.
Panama City officials set up the 3 p.m. meeting in response to questions from the local hotel industry.
Hotels and other short-term lodging in Panama City are responsible for collecting the 5 percent tax on each bill, which is then submitted to the Bay County Clerk of Court to be processed. Hotels were some of the biggest supporters of the tax when the issue was up for referendum this past fall. Voters approved the proposal and the tax now is being collected.
“It’s general overall questions,” Panama City Manager Jeff Brown said.
Before the bed tax funding goes to the city, it is reviewed by Tourist Development Council and Bay County Commission. Bed tax funding can be used for advertising, marketing or any event that brings people in from outside the city.
Panama City has received some interest from organizers looking to use bed tax dollars for events. An official application has been filed for the St. Andrews Bay Yacht club for a sailing race.
“With those boats coming in there are lots of people,” Bay Chamber of Commerce President Carol Roberts said. “Those type of events draw spectators.”