Brentwood guests may face new hotel tax

04.01.04

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Beginning in June, guests in Brentwood hotels may have to pay a 5 percent occupancy tax as a result of an ordinance passed at Monday's Board of Commissioners meeting.

If the ordinance, 2004-17, is passed for a second time at the board's next meeting, it will become law.

The ordinance, which was submitted by City Manager Michael Walker, will apply to all hotels, motels and bed-and-breakfasts with six guest rooms or more. If approved, the tax would go into effect June 1 and payment of tax revenues would be due to the city on the 20th of each month.

The public will have an opportunity to discuss the issue on April 12 when commissioners hold the final vote on the ordinance.

Walker said his office's research found that many cities have similar taxes.

"We firmly believe that the [5 percent] rate, combined with the county rate of 4 percent, is well in line with what most people experience when they travel to different places," Walker said.

Mayor Ann Hudson said she supported the tax, which will bring revenue to the city in Williamson County south of Nashville, but she wanted to get community feedback before making a decision.

"I'm definitely going to vote for this," Hudson said, "but I also need to hear community input."

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