The counties imposing a lodging tax at the Lake of the Ozarks have filed for a rehearing before the state Supreme Court. Previously, the court found that the statute allowing the tax was unconstitutional.
Missouri Lawyers Media quoted Partner Matthew Jacober on the recent updates. Jacober said the business owners contacted the firm after they learned that the advisory board planned to double the tax from three percent to six percent and planned to use those funds to purchase a new soccer stadium.
That proposal, while maybe it would have brought in additional people to the lake region, it wouldn’t have benefited their establishment at all,” Jacober said. “It would most definitely hurt them because of the additional tax that their visitors or guests, would have to pay while they were there.”
Jacober argued that the entire setup of the statute and the collection of tax revenue was a violation of the Missouri Constitution which says, “No county, city or other political corporation or subdivision of the state shall own or subscribe for stock in any corporation or association, or lend its credit or grant public money or thing of value to or in aid of any corporation, association or individual, except as provided in this constitution.”
Read the full article here [SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED]: Lake taxing districts ask for another bite of the apple