County hotel tax may climb

Cayuga County officials began discussions last week to increase the hotel occupancy tax in the county from 3 to 5 percent in an effort to compete with neighboring counties.

During the county's Planning Meeting last Tuesday night, a majority of committee members supported the idea to increase the tax the county charges on people who stay at county hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts to 5 percent.

A majority of the tax is directed back to the county's Tourism Office for use in the office's effort to increase county tourism. Onondaga, Cortland and Tompkins counties charge a 5 percent occupancy tax. Seneca, Wayne and Oswego counties charge a 3 percent room tax.