COVID-19 has drastically reduced hotel room tax revenues slated for tourism marketing, Monona Terrace, Overture Center, Vilas Zoo, and other city tourism initiatives, according to a Wisconsin State Journalreport.
The Room Tax Commission is grappling with how to handle the projected 50% drop from $19.8 million to $9.7 million in revenues. The city is required to spend 70% of the collections on tourist-related activities, according to state law.
Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway states the city will not be making up the lost room tax revenue from the general fund.
