CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to the Seattle Tourism Improvement Area; modifying the assessment rate; and amending Ordinance 123714.
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WHEREAS, in 2011, through Ordinance 123714, the City established the Seattle Tourism Business Improvement Area (STIA), providing for the levy of special assessments upon participating hotels within the defined area to for the purpose of promoting leisure tourism in order to increase area hotel occupancies within the business improvement area; and
WHEREAS, the travel and tourism industry is a significant contributor to the local economy, generating $8.1 billion in economic impact in Seattle/King County in 2019, resulting in $837.5 million in state/local tax revenues, and creating over 80,000 jobs; and
WHEREAS, the travel and tourism industry has been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in 54 percent fewer visitors in 2020, 56 percent less state/local tax revenues, and 40 percent fewer jobs supported; and
WHEREAS, on January 14, 2022, the STIA Ratepayer Advisory Board voted to increase the monthly special assessments, with new assessment values taking effect in 2022; and
WHEREAS, on March 23, 2022, in accordance with RCW 35.87A.140, the City Council held a public hearing regarding its intention to raise the STIA's assessment rate;
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 3 of Ordinance 123714 is amended as follows:
Section 3. Levy of Special Assessments. To finance the programs authorized in Section 2, there is levied upon and shall be collected from the owners of all transient accommodations ("Ratepayers") with more than 60 rooms located within the boundaries of the Business Improvement Area described in Section 1, monthly special assessments in an amount equal to (($2)) $4 per occupied hotel room for each such Ratepayer.
The special assessments shall not be imp...
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