Oskaloosa voters will decide in March if the City should raise its hotel and motel tax from five percent to seven percent.  Oskaloosa City Manager Michael Schrock says the City Council voted to hold the election at Monday’s (12/7) City Council meeting and gives a reason to raise that tax.

“The City Council and the community (have) a number of quality of life, tourism and economic development opportunities that have been presented.  And an increase in the hotel and motel tax by two percent would be one of the ways that could help fund those efforts.”

Schrock says creative placemaking and restaurant improvement programs in the form of grants are some ways the additional tax revenue could be used.  Schrock also says a seven percent hotel and motel tax is the state maximum….and neighboring cities such as Pella, Ottumwa, Newton, Grinnell, Knoxville and Albia already have a seven percent hotel and motel tax.  The special election in Oskaloosa will be March 2, 2021.