TCLA Lodging Tax Information

This page will attempt to simplify the flow of money through Tri-County Lodging Association.  The following dollar amounts and charts will be based upon the 2009/2010 budget.  TCLA's new accounting year will start on July 1, 2009.  If the proposed ballot issue passes, the current budget will be adjusted to reflect the increased advertising budget.

Tri-County normally has two sources of revenue. Foremost, is the room tax that lodging businesses remit to their respective counties.  The counties charge the Business Districts 2% of the amounts remitted to them as a service fee.  So, as shown in the charts below, 98% of the collected room tax is forwarded to the Business Districts.  Projected 2009-2010 budgeted room tax is $1,389,300.  This budgeted amount will be paid out by the Business Districts on a monthly basis through out the 2009/2010 fiscal year for authorized budgeted expenditures .  Secondly, TCLA's comprehensive marketing plan and State Application qualifies TCLA for the Division of Tourism to match dollar-for-dollar $339,250 for advertising and promotion.

 

The chart below lists the 2009/2010 Tri-County Lodging Association budget expenditures in five major categories  The budget is established annually by the elected directors from the three counties.  By law, those directors must develop a comprehensive marketing plan to meet the needs of all sizes and types of businesses within the lodging industry.

  • The major expenditure is advertising and it will be further divided in a following chart. 

  • Administration is the every day responsibility of paying rent on the office building, insurance, utilities, wages, Board liability insurance, maintenance and repair, etc. 

  • Public Relations create public announcements, hosts outdoor writers, contact publishers for specialty articles and assist with applications for Division of Tourism funding. 

  • Group Sales are listed separately from advertising even though the purpose and end result is nearly the same as advertising and marketing.  This expense is for a sales person in Kansa City and St. Louis to contact possible group business, conventions, reunions and special events. 

  • Professional Services are the necessary legal, accounting, auditing services, and lobbyist.

Advertisement is further divided into six rather loosely formed groups.  Publications and newspaper ads promote the internet and the internet promotes publications and events, so you see where the "rather loose" comes from.   TCLA, in partnership with Missouri Division of Tourism, initiates Conversion and Ad Effectiveness studies to assure the most efficient use of every advertising dollar.

 

Tri-County Lodging Association
P.O. Box 1299, Osage Beach, MO 65065;
Phone: 573-348-0111, Fax: 573-348-4292