WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS APPROVE JOINT CONTRACT FOR HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX MANAGEMENT PLATFORM

  

Washington County has approved its half of a joint contract for software designed to improve management of local Hotel Occupancy Taxes (HOT).

Commissioners at their meeting this (Tuesday) morning agreed to enter into a contract with the City of Brenham for HOT administration and compliance services provided by LODGINGRevs.  The software will locate and keep track of the roughly 200 short-term rentals in the county, ensure they are compliant and permitted, and handle collections of HOT payments.

Commissioner Candice Bullock previously said that short-term rentals often do not realize they are not making local HOT payments because they have already paid the state Hotel Occupancy Tax, not aware there is also a local tax.  She said the platform, which has access to over 30 relevant short-term rental listing sites, would allow the city and the county better oversight and compliance on HOT revenue.

Short-term rentals in Washington County, whether they are located inside or outside Brenham, pay a 13 percent HOT rate.  The rate consists of 7 percent for both the city and the county, and 6 percent for the state.

By entering into the contract, which carries a one-year term renewed annually, the county will pay a one-time implementation cost of $8,800, which will also be paid by the city upon its approval of the contract.  The county and the city save money by sharing the platform; instead of each paying $10,000 annually if they pursued the contract separately, they will each pay $6,000.

The Brenham City Council will act upon the city’s half of the contract at its meeting Thursday.

Also in court today, commissioners:

• Tabled the naming of Washington County Facilities Manager Bobby Branham as the general contractor for the All Weather Building project to build equipment sheds at the Engineering and Development Services Facility. They also tabled the purchase of a Weld Together Building Package from Brenham Iron Works for the project.
• Accepted a $10,000 donation from GeoSouthern Energy Corporation for road improvements for the Old Mill Creek Road project in Precinct Four.
• Approved the purchase of materials and labor for City of Brenham fiber to the Washington County Health Clinic on Chappell Hill Street, as well as additional annual maintenance fees for the fiber. County Information Technology Director T.J. Harris said this will provide a fiber line between the county’s communications facility and the health center, in order to provide internet and telephone services while adding the facility onto Washington County’s network.  Harris said the purchase will consist of a one-time expense of $3,557 for equipment, and $1,400 for annual cost of maintenance.  He said while the cost will lead to an increase of about $100 paid for the first year, subsequent years will save the county $3,460.
• Granted the county auditor the authority to conduct an audit of the Fiscal Year 2020 Chapter 59 Asset Forfeiture Report by the 21^st Judicial District Attorney.
• Approved the Washington County Fairgrounds supplemental employee policy.
• Approved a change fund of $100 for the fairgrounds as approved by the county auditor.
• Approved a final plat for Randle Hill Estate, a subdivision of five tracts fronting Randle Hill Road in Precinct Two.
• Approved formal notice for a utility installation by PGMS-Central Washington County Water Supply Corporation, including a two-inch road bore for a one-inch water line, at 7780 Old Gay Hill Road in Precinct Three.