A public meeting is scheduled for a ballot issue that will be on the ballot for some Stone County Voters in April.

The full release below is from the Table Rock Lake Chamber of Commerce:

Two town hall meetings will be held in Stone County to give voters a chance to hear information and ask questions about the proposed 3% lodging tax on the April 8 ballot in the southern part of the county. The meetings will be held at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. April 1 at New Testament Christian Church, 2106 Main St. in Reeds Spring. Stone County voters are encouraged to attend.

Members of the campaign committee Stronger Stone County will be on hand to present information and answer questions about the tax, which if approved, would be assessed on hotels/motels and short-term rentals like AirBnbs and VRBOs. The money generated by the tax can only be used for tourism promotion, per state law.

Committee member Sheila Thomas, President/CEO of Table Rock Lake Chamber of Commerce, said the Chamber board endorsed the issue because it will allow the county to market itself to visitors, thus raising visibility for the area, increasing visitation and revenue.
“For about 20 years, money collected in Stone County annually, on Indian Point, has been going toward marketing the greater Branson area,” Thomas said. “That total last year was about $1.8 million. When I tell Stone County people that they are shocked. We’d just like to ensure that we have a dedicated fund to market specifically Stone County, Table Rock Lake and our great local businesses here.”

Southern Stone County Presiding Commissioner Hank Smythe agrees.

“The Table Rock Chamber has done a good job using the grant money that they get from the state to market the Table Rock Lake area, but that money has some restrictions to it, and the tax district that provides the grant match wants to restrict it even more. If that happens the money can’t be used to promote all of Stone County,” Smythe said. “If this lodging tourism tax passes, the County Commission will seek out qualified organizations who want to bid on providing the tourism marketing services,” Smythe explained. “Once those bids are vetted, we’ll issue a contract with specific measurements and reporting requirements included in it to make sure the money is used appropriately and that its use is transparent. That way taxpayers can see how the money is being spent and the organization is accountable for results.”

More information about the issue can be found at staypaywin.com, or on Facebook at Stronger Stone County = Yes for Tourism.