Gunflint Businesses Vote For New Lodging Tax with Conditions

Yesterday afternoon the Gunflint Trail Association members met to determine whether to participate in the new proposed County wide lodging tax. The 1% addition lodging tax if approved would be used to fund the Cook Country Events and Visitors Bureau (EVB). The meeting began with EVB officers Charles Skinner Jr, Nancy Burns from the Lutsen Tofte Tourism Association and Mike Prom from the Gunflint explaining the new proposed tax and the EVB.

After considerable discussion on the merits and disadvantages of passing the proposed tax. A motion was put forth to support the new tax, provide it contained a five year "sun set provision" and the Gunflint Trail Association would continue to receive a minimum of two members on the EVB Board

The Association then voted to approve the motion with by a vote of; 11 in favor, 4 apposed and one abstention.

The new lodging tax must still gain the support of members of the Lutsen Toffe and Grand Marais Area Tourism Associations before it can be brought to the County Board. The County Board would then make the final decision on whether to enacting the new 1% lodging tax.