Whitefish is seeing an uptick in its resort tax collections with the addition of lodging accommodations and a 1 percentage point resort tax increase, which voters overwhelmingly approved last year to help finance the purchase of a conservation easement in Haskill Basin.
The city’s resort tax on lodging, restaurant food and drinks and retail items increased from 2 percent to 3 percent.
On an equivalent basis of the 2 percent resort tax this year compared to last year, resort tax collections in June were up by 13.7 percent, or $28,221. For the year-to-date, the comparative 2 percent Resort Tax was up 2.12 percent, or $46,777.
Lodging was up by over $16,000 with the Hampton Inn and Suites having opened in late April.
Overall, with the additional 1 percent resort tax that voters approved, the 3 percent Resort Tax was up by 70.53 percent, or $145,428 for June compared to the 2 percent Resort Tax in June 2015.