Grayson County will ask the Texas Legislature for the power to tax hotel and short-term rental stays, with the money aimed at North Texas Regional Airport/Perrin Field, after commissioners decided Tuesday to send lawmakers the request.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Josh Marr, who brought the resolution, told KXII the county could charge 7% on stays in unincorporated areas. Inside cities that already collect their own hotel tax, the county's share would be 2%.
Marr said Sherman and Denison are the two Grayson County cities with a hotel tax now, and the county tax would come on top of theirs without changing what they collect.
Denison's own rate is 7%, tourism manager Jordan Starr said in a written statement to KTEN, meaning a guest booking a $100 room pays $7 in local hotel tax.
How much money
Marr told both stations the county had run the numbers at a workshop earlier this year and estimated about $1.2 million would have come in had the tax been in place. Under state law the money has to promote tourism, and Marr said the airport is the only county asset that qualifies.
He told KXII the tax would cover airport renovations and free up general fund dollars for other departments, naming the sheriff's office and the district attorney's office.
Marr said the tax would not raise property taxes and would not apply to most county residents. KXII reported it would reach hotels, Airbnbs and cabin rentals.
