Motel tax has been growing in Orleans County
County expects additional increase with new hotel in Medina
Courtesy of Cobblestone Suites: The proposed 58-room hotel in Medina will look similar to this Cobblestone Suites hotel in Pennsylvania.
ALBION – Revenue in the motel tax at Orleans County has been growing in recent years, and the county expects more growth with a new hotel coming to Medina.
The county’s budgeted amount for the motel tax has grown from $27,500 in 2015, $33,000 in 2016, $39,000 in 2017 to $42,000 tentatively budgeted for 2018.
The county started a 4 percent tax on lodging in 2004. The revenue is used to support the tourism department. Those dollars are matched by the state in the I Love NY program.
Susan Heard, the county treasurer, said more businesses have started in the county that offer lodging. They might be guest houses or cottages.
The county has stepped up its efforts to make sure people making money with lodging are collecting and paying the tax.
The county held a public hearing on the motel tax on Oct. 25. No one spoke at the hearing. The Legislature is expected to approve continuing the mortgage tax another two years at its Nov. 29 meeting at 4:30 p.m.
The county has about 25 lodging providers, which include motels, bed and breakfasts, lodges and vacation rentals.
BriMark Builders has proposed a new 58-room hotel, Cobblestone Inn and Suites, on Maple Ridge Road, next to Pride Pak and almost across the street from Genesee Community College. BriMark is based in Neenah, Wisc.
County officials expect the hotel to open late in 2018.
