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Tag Archives: Hotel Occupancy Tax

On second try, Tourism Commission votes in favor of equity-based preservation plan

The Tourism Commission has changed its stance from last month and approved a recommendation that City Council adopt the Planning Department’s Equity-Based Preservation Plan, which intended to guide the city’s use of hotel taxes dedicated toward historic preservation. Last month,…

Preservation • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 15, 2024

Hotels nearing agreement on tax plan to provide homelessness services funding

City leaders expect a long-in-coming new hotel tax that could provide money for homelessness services to be ready for final City Council approval within the month. On Monday, the Austin Business Journal reported that the proposed Tourism Public Improvement District…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 10, 2024

Music Commission wants STR taxes to increase Live Music Fund awards

The Music Commission wants to increase funding for the Live Music Fund from its current $4.5 million total, and could push for hotel taxes from short-term rental sites as a funding source. At last week’s meeting, the commission received an…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 15, 2024

Arts group blasts memo blocking city from purchasing historic church space

The nonprofit Austin Creative Alliance has pushed back against a memo from city staff that appears to have derailed an effort by City Council members to preserve a pair of East Austin properties that serve as the group’s headquarters and…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 18, 2024

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Music Commission recommends fine-tuning city incentives for music venues, creative spaces

Members of the Music Commission want the city to explore more ways for a proposed incentive program for small businesses to address some of the specific real estate realities live music venues face throughout the city. Last week’s meeting included…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 12, 2024

City offers $4.5M for musicians, venues in latest Live Music Fund

Local musicians and qualifying independent music venues will be able to apply for $4.5 million in grants available in the second cohort of the Live Music Fund. The program, which was approved by City Council in 2019 using Hotel Occupancy…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • May 16, 2024

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Arts commissioners signal support for city funds for The Contemporary art museum

Members of the Arts Commission appear ready to advocate for The Contemporary Austin fine art museum and sculpture park to receive consistent city funding beyond Hotel Occupancy Tax dollars. This week’s commission meeting featured a presentation from Sharon Maidenberg, executive…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 19, 2024

Tourism Commission considers how to grow hotel taxes beyond convention business

The Tourism Commission has turned its attention to how tourist attractions throughout the city could work collectively to increase the average hotel stay, which would gradually lead to substantial increases in Hotel Occupancy Tax revenues. At last week’s meeting, the…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 21, 2024

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Music Commission wants tight guidelines on venues receiving Live Music Fund awards

The Music Commission has formed a working group that could reshape how the city will award grants to live music venues as part of an expansion of the Live Music Fund. The group, which will likely include five commission members…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 8, 2024

City Council approves 2024 Heritage Preservation Grants

On Thursday, City Council approved a list of Heritage Preservation Grants funded by $3.59 million in Hotel Occupancy Tax dollars. The 23 applicants will receive anywhere from $15,000 to $250,000 to fund their proposals, which range from concrete repair projects…

Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Jan 19, 2024

Short-term rentals come under Tourism Commission scrutiny, with Council action expected this year

Members of the Tourism Commission signaled this week that they intend to ask City Council to pursue new policies covering the short-term rental industry and the proliferation across the city of residences acting as de facto hotels. At Wednesday’s meeting,…

Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Jan 12, 2024

Tourism Commission wants more transparency on hotel tax funding decisions for arts groups

Members of the Tourism Commission have signaled they want more transparency from the Economic Development Department regarding how Hotel Occupancy Tax dollars allocated for music, cultural arts and historic preservation programs are used. At its most recent meeting, the commission…

City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 23, 2023

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