Supervisor Ted Riehle said that a Herkimer County Bed Tax proposal, though not formally introduced, is clearly in the discussion stages and of concern to the Town of Webb, in that Webb will be the source of much of the revenue if one were to be implemented.
Riehle said the aspect of most concern is the talk of a proposed split of disbursements based on that Bed Tax revenue.
“That 30/30/30/10 split [is a proposal] I completely disagree with,” he said.
That proposal would distribute 30 percent of the taxes collected to the Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce, 30 percent to the county’s Industrial Development Agency (IDA), 30 percent to the Town of Webb, and 10 percent to the county’s general fund, according to County Legislator Patrick Russell.
Supervisor Riehle suggested that Town of Webb Board draft a letter to the Herkimer County Legislature to communicate a formal stance on the matter.
Councilwoman Kate Russell said she was displeased at hearing talk of this tax and its proposed method of disbursement.
Councilwoman Mary Brophy Moore concurred.
Councilman Mike Ross said he found the 30 percent for the Herkimer County Chamber to be unreasonably disproportionate.
Brophy Moore agreed. “Not when 99 percent would come from [Town of Webb],” she said.
Supervisor Riehle said Town of Webb Publicity Director is in the process of gathering statistics for use in making the town’s case to the legislature.
Both Councilwoman Russell and Councilwoman Moore offered to work with Farmer in authoring a position on behalf of the Town of Webb.