Victor to bring resort tax proposal to voters

The city of Victor will bring a non-property sales tax measure to voters in the May 15th election.

In a unanimous vote, the Victor City Council called for creation of a Resort Tax. It will require a 60 percent majority to pass.

If approved, the measure would create a 3 percent occupancy tax and a 1 percent tax on liquor-by-the drink and all other sales. The occupancy tax would apply to hotels, campgrounds, and short-term rentals of 30 days or less.

The exact number of rental units is uncertain, but a new 56-room hotel is currently under construction on Main Street. The facility is expected to open this spring.

City officials said that because the resort tax places an emphasis on tourism, it is estimated that for each $1 paid by a Victor resident, visitors would pay an estimated $6.

The city council said revenue from the tax would fund essential programs within city limits to include law enforcement, snow removal, street and park maintenance. Other uses could include capital improvement projects, beautification of public infrastructure, associated land acquisition and equipment, transportation, visitor services and promotion, and creation of a property tax relief fund.

“Visitors to Victor enjoy our public amenities and infrastructure yet do not pay City property taxes as residents do,” said Victor Mayor Jeff Potter. “It’s this Resort Tax that has visitors put some skin in the game, contribute to basic services like downtown sidewalk snow removal, and participate in the improvement of downtown through capital projects. That’s why we’ve designed the ballot with a higher focus on visitors.”

May 15 votes can be cast at the LDS Church Gymnasium at 87 East Center Street. Absentee voting will be available from April 2 to May 11 at the Teton County Courthouse. Absentee ballots are accepted from March 30 to May 4.