Department of City Attorney’s Office
Reference: Ordinance to Amend Sections of Article 3-40 Regarding the Lodging Tax Committee
To: Mayor Gregory Mills and Members of City Council
Through: Michael P. Martinez, City Manager
Prepared By: Alicia Calderón, City Attorney
Date Prepared: August 22, 2023
PURPOSE
To make changes to the Brighton Municipal Code to remove the Lodging Tax Committee and provide for a direct allocation of those funds.
BACKGROUND
Currently the City has a Lodging Tax Committee that advises the City Council on the allocation of funds, which has two members from the Brighton Economic Development Corporation (“EDC”), two members from the Brighton Cultural Arts Commission (“BCAC”), two members who are representatives of lodging providers, and one City Council member. The two primary recipients of the funds are also the majority of the Committee: EDC and BCAC. In order to avoid an appearance of a conflict of interest, it is in the best interests of the City of Brighton (“City”) to change this structure.
The proposed ordinance will remove the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, and instead, add a section directly allocating the lodging tax funds to the EDC and the City’s Communications and Cultural Arts Department. The uses of the funds remain those approved by the voters: economic development endeavors, special events, cultural arts facilities, advertising and marking, and promoting tourism and other activities which utilize public accommodations within the City. The EDC and the City’s Communications and Engagement Department are authorized to create a grant process to distribute the funds to community organizations that meet the purposes set forth for Lodging Tax Funds.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommend approval of the ordinance.
OPTIONS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
1) Approve the Ordinance
2) Deny approval of the Ordinance
3) Modify the Ordinance
ATTACHMENTS
1. Ordinance
2. Redline of the Municipal Code Sections