How is Monticello’s Hotel/Motel Tax being used?

To the Editor,

     Since the Hotel/Motel Tax increase has passed in Monticello, I would like to know how it is being utilized to promote Monticello.

     I was told that the Monticello sign along the by-pass was paid for with this tax money and even though the money comes from visitors and not from the usual people who pay the bills in Monticello, I think it was a poor use for that money. Promoting area attractions, big and small, is really what the purpose of the tax is for and at greater distance than just outside our front door. Traveling by the sign at most times the information on the screen has little or nothing to do with events in the area. It is often ignored since you haven’t the time to read it before you are past the exit. If the traveler uses the other entrances to Monticello from the north or the south, it has no chance of promoting anything; they won’t even see the sign.

     We do have an office in Anamosa that does do tourism promotions; it contacts bus companies and tourism venues with information on what is available in our county. Monticello contributes no money for this effort. Since we raised the tax, then it should also be used in a way that benefits the visiting public who provide the money. Using a loophole in the law to sit on this cash and find ways to fritter it away that does little to promote area business is not helping our community. The city makes no proviso as to how one could get at this money for promotions or any other way to assist in creating events that do bring the public into our city.

     It would appear that the hotel/motel tax collected sits until someone, most likely the city administrator, finds something that needs the money to grease the wheels of a project. Let’s spread the wealth of our visitor tax and help fund some of the promotions and work of the Jones County Tourism Office. That is the business they are in and we can demand our share of the coverage as well.

     If things stay as they are, outreach to the touring public will be stymied as a result. We have to stop this one-upmanship business between Anamosa and Monticello and start learning how to work together for the good of all in this county.

Steve Hanken

Monticello, Iowa