Short on Cash, Jackson Turns to Lodging Tax Hike

The Town of Jackson is facing a $2.5 million budget shortfall, and on Monday, the Town Council voted to increase the lodging tax from 5% to 7%.

🗳️ Lodging Tax Hike Heads to November Ballot

In a 3-2 vote, the council agreed to put a town-only lodging tax increase on the ballot for a special election this November. If approved by voters, the tax on overnight stays in Jackson would rise from 5% to 7% within town limits, generating an estimated $950,000 annually.

Councilors Alyson Spery and Kevin Regan joined Mayor Arne Jorgensen in supporting the move, while Councilors Devon Viehman and Jonathan Schechter opposed it.

Under the proposed split:

60% to the Jackson Hole Travel & Tourism Board
30% to offset visitor impacts
10% to the town’s general fund

Meanwhile, Another Potential Revenue Source?

While the lodging tax offers one route, I recently proposed another idea that’s already delivering results in other parts of Wyoming: Historic Horse Racing (HHR) terminals and skill games.

In a recent piece, Jackson Has a Budget Shortfall. HHR & Skill Games Are the Fix, I break down how these forms of gaming have generated millions in county and state tax revenue. If permitted locally, these gaming options could inject new revenue into Jackson’s general fund without touching locals’ wallets, something that may be more palatable than additional taxes.