Friday, Aug. 9, 2:03 a.m.: This story has been updated to include City Council action and discussion. Thursday, Aug, 8, 11:50a: This story has been updated to include discussion between city and county leaders. With an additional annual revenue stream estimated at $21 million in its sights, Austin City Council voted Aug. 9 to increase the city tax on all hotel stays within city limits from 7% to 9%. Now approved, Austin Mayor Steve Adler said the city will immediately begin banking 70% of that revenue stream—roughly $14.7 million annually—to help pay off a potential $1.3 billion expansion of the Neal K. Kocurek Austin Convention Center. The expansion was supported unanimously by City Council but remains in the air due to a citizen petition aimed at blocking it. The remaining 30% would fund cultural arts and historic preservation budgets. Hotel occupancy taxes, known as HOT, or hotel taxes, are taxes levied on hotel guests. Click to read more at www.communityimpact.com.
Lack of Commitment, Communication Creates HOT Mess Between Austin And Travis County
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