PERRYSBURG – Council has changed how much it will allocate the city’s hotel tax to the convention and visitor’s bureau.
Visit Perrysburg currently receives 60% of the 3% hotel tax collected in the city.
For any taxes collected prior to Sept. 1, Visit Perrysburg will continue to receive 60%. After that date, the bureau will receive 55% of collections through the end of the year.
After Jan. 1, the amount paid by the city will be 50%.
The 10% difference will go into the general fund.
The ordinance was unanimously approved without discussion at council’s July 2 meeting.
The overall financial health of the convention and visitor’s bureau has improved, Councilman Mark Weber said at the May 14 finance committee meeting, when the legislation was introduced.
“It never really was entirely in jeopardy,” he said.
In the fall of 2022, the Visit Perrysburg board voted to stop its Market Days due in part to the fees imposed by the city.
In September 2023, council approved increasing the share of hotel tax for the bureau to 60% from 50%.
The numbers presented to council last year included projected expenses that didn’t happen, Weber said.
The fees for Market Days vendors and food trucks have increased and the city has waived the fees for trash pickup and a police presence during events, he said.
The bureau has a new executive director and can afford to hire an assistant, Weber said.
“Overall, I think this is a good move,” Weber said at the May meeting.
Last fall, it was announced the hotel tax annually collected around $730,000.
Council at its July meeting also approved the inclusion of the 300 block of Louisiana Avenue in its downtown revitalization project at an additional cost of $125,950, bringing the total for the project to $467,450.
The EDGE Group will create the design for improving the downtown streetscape, which initially included only the 100 and 200 blocks of Louisiana Avenue.
Work on the 300 block will take place next year while the other two blocks will be improved in 2026.
The work will include upgrades to roads, sidewalks, and lighting to create a more pedestrian-friendly environment; the creation of public spaces for community gatherings and events such as the Farmers Market, Homecoming Festival, and Winterfest; and the installation of landscaping and public art.
Also at the meeting, council:
• Entered into an amended agreement with Atlantic Emergency Solutions, Findlay, to purchase a rescue pumper for $899,694 for use by the fire division. The initial agreement was for $874,869 but the fire department found items not included that would be beneficial to have.
• Placed a 2009 Ford Crown Victoria used by the fire department on the surplus property list to sell.
• Changed bereavement leave to five working days from three working days.
• Approved a tuition reimbursement ordinance to allow up to $5,250 per calendar year for a full-time employee who has completed one year of continuous active duty.
• Created the position of legal assistant/clerk of council and removed the position of paralegal/executive assistant. The minimum salary for the position will be $46,800.
• Agree to apply for a Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments surface transportation block grant for the resurfacing of certain portions of Roachton Road. The grant request is for $500,000 for the $1.2 million project. The county will pay for 55% of the work, while the city’s share would be $315,091, or 45%, in fiscal year 2028.
• Entered into a contract with DGL Consulting Engineers, Maumee, for signal improvements at the East Indiana Avenue/Elm Street and East Indiana Avenue/East Boundary Street intersections at a price not to exceed $58,800.
