The City of Thomas is preparing a letter to send to Airbnb and other short-term lodging options to inform them of their obligation to pay sales tax and hotel/motel tax. The state tax department ruled in February that all short-term rental participants must be state licensed.
After acquiring a state license, short-term rental participants must acquire a city business license, and submit their hotel/motel tax to the city.
Cities and towns in West Virginia are responsible for collecting the hotel/motel tax. Thomas’ proceeds will be split between the city and the Tucker County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The city is developing a description for a city administrator position. Possible duties might include financial and accounting work, applying for loans and grants, preparing budgets, organizing meeting agendas, supervising city staff, and attending local and regional events.
At the next meeting, the council will seek to create the position and add the position into the appropriate ordinance. At the March 13 meeting, the council discussed where to draw the funds to pay for the position.
The 2018-2019 general fund budget was discussed. This budget is effective July 1 and will be approved in April. The estimated revenue is $184,000, which rose from last year. Property taxes increased last year, which contributed to an increase in the projected revenue. Switching to electronic banking was discussed.
The council approved the purchase of two traffic control signs. The digital signs will display an incoming vehicle’s speed. The city will use approximately $5,500 from sales tax revenue to pay for the two signs. One will be placed near City Hall on Front Street. The other will be located on Route 32 near the fire hall.
Two water lines recently broke, financially costing the city. One break occurred on Route 219 South. The other was on Douglas Road.
The Douglas Road break was difficult to locate, and in the meantime, spilled almost 80,000 gallons of water a day. Both breaks were repaired. “We’re back on schedule again,” Mayor Matt Quattro said.
The Milkint Garage building was sold. There are plans to demolish the old building in order to construct a new building that may include a storefront and apartments.
The title for the recently purchased Ford F550 was received, and a loan was initiated.
The cascading aerator at the sewer plant will be installed this spring when the weather warms.
The next Thomas City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 10 at 6:30 p.m.