Title
Consider an Ordinance Amending Chapter 38, Article IV and Article V, Code of Ordinances (2018 Edition), City of Round Rock, Texas, Regarding Hotel Occupancy Taxes and Permitting Requirements and Providing for a Savings Clause and Repealing Conflicting Ordinances and Resolutions.(First reading)
Body
The ordinance amendments outline new registration and renewal fees, penalties for noncompliance of existing properties, and a limitation to the administrative fee credit. The amendments are to align with an online reporting and payment portal for Hotel Occupancy and Venue taxes that will be available October 1, 2025.
To provide submission security for those hotels within the City limits, each property will require an initial registration and an annual renewal. The registration fees are as follows: Initial registration fee of $35.00 per property address and annual calendar year renewal fee of $25.00. For the owner/operators of a hotel paying these taxes as of October 1, 2025, however, the initial application fee will be waived.
The amendment includes a penalty for existing noncompliant hotel operators in reporting and remitting the applicable taxes if those businesses are not registered within sixty (60) days of October 1, 2025.
The current ordinance includes an administrative offset of 1%, but this amendment limits that credit to remittances less than $25,000.00 per month. The forfeit of the administrative offset for late filing and remittance will continue.
Recommended Action: Staff recommends approval.