ROOM TAX
Almost all Door County communities have now followed implementation of a county-wide lodging tax that will raise the promotion income of the Visitors' Bureau to $2 million for better tourism promotion and operation.
The room tax percent is 5.5%.
There is a Tourism Zone Commission formed to administer the room tax system and enforce as necessary. Our current representatives are Craig "Nedd" Neddersen and Diane Jacobson.
Seventy percent of the room tax goes to the Door County Visitors' Bureau. Thirty percent of the tax collected in Ephraim comes back to the Village and it must be used for tourism-related services. It appears that Ephraim's portion may exceed $110,000 per year.
The Room Tax collection began as of May 1, 2007. Taxes are due to the Commission at the end of the next month (in that case, June 30), and the Village would see its first payment by the end of the next month (July), and so forth. The Board passed a motion to give 50% of our portion of room tax back to the Ephraim Business Council for tourism promotion of Ephraim specifically, that amount will be re-evaluated at the end of each year for subsequent years.
It is our hope that the Door County Visitors Bureau will use the money wisely for their expanded promotional efforts, that the Village's money will go to a few new projects as well as funding current tourism infrastructure, and that the Ephraim Business Council will use our funds to increase the tourism possibilities (and thereby increase the funds) for our future.
Expenses currently paid solely by Ephraim property owners include:
--Principal and interest payments on loans for Harborside Park and its renovation, Hillside/Iverson shore parcels, roads construction - $124,723 in 2008
--Yearly capital reserve for fire equipment purchase in 2012 - $14,000 in 2008
--Maintenance and upkeep of public restrooms, parks or the Hall may also qualify under the definition of "infrastructure expenses."
--In addition Ephraim property owners provide phone, electric and sewer services to the Visitor's Center at an average of $1,167.39 per year. General maintenance and upkeep of the building are provided by the Ephraim Maintenance Department.
