Hotel Occupancy Tax

By Bob Romano

New revenues without added financial burden on our residents

Earlier this year, State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Mamaroneck) announced that legislation to authorize the cities of New Rochelle and White Plains to impose hotel room occupancy taxes was passed by the Senate and signed into law by Governor Paterson. The Governor also approved legislation extending the City of Rye's authority to impose its own hotel occupancy tax. Senator Oppenheimer has stated that she is in favor of expanding this taxing authority to other cities and smaller municipalities that request it. I believe North Castle needs to request the authority to impose this tax. In keeping with my goal to ease our property tax burden, new and alternative revenue sources that have minimal or no negative impact on our homeowners should be addressed promptly, and would be a win-win for our residents.

I laud the recent start of the process of building a new 300 room hotel on the IBM property in Armonk. The proposed location would have no negative aesthetic impact on our town, as it will be located on the IBM campus, and the property will have to conform with all building and environmental regulations that are in place. This new addition shall bring with it visitors that will presumably be not only just staying in North Castle, but will be taking advantage of all our town has to offer. The local restaurants and merchants will be sure to benefit, as well as those fortunate enough to find employment at the new facility. Additionally, this smart development to our town would benefit all of the residents of our community in the form of new revenues being made available to our budget. The hotel occupancy tax is extremely popular in many regions around the country, as the tax is levied on few if any local residents, and it is more often than not considered by travelers to be part of "business as usual". LQ Management, LLC (the operators of the "La Quinta Hotel") and IBM may have some resistance to this new tax levy, but I believe it would not impede the progression of the IBM project and it is not likely that travelers will opt to stay in alternative locations due to this cost, as it is currently imposed on many of our surrounding communities as well. As this is a prime opportunity for our community, I would ask that North Castle Town officials seek approval from the State legislature and Governors office, requesting the authority to impose this tax.