“It is our expectation that should this taxing authority be created by HB166, voting representatives from government entities affected by this tax burden will include Miami Township,” according to a statement released Tuesday.
RELATED: Suburbs question need for tax bailout for Dayton Convention Center
Miami Twp. trustees have been critical of the convention center plan in the past week.
Miami Twp. Trustee John Morris sent a letter to this news organization on Saturday regarding the convention center and the proposed countywide lodging tax hike.
The letter referenced his position as a Miami Twp. trustee and included his Miami Twp. email address.
“Recent comments made on the topic of the proposed tax and convention center reflects personal views of those trustees and not the official position of Miami Township,” according to the statement released Tuesday.
RELATED: Dayton should let ‘convention center die,’ area politician says
“While Miami Township is monitoring developments concerning HB 166 and the convention center’s future, it is working to see that proper decisions will be made that will strengthen our community,” according to the statement.
The state budget bill includes a provision to allow Montgomery County to establish an authority to oversee the convention center, now owned by the city of Dayton.
If established by the county, the authority would have the power to levy a 3 percent lodging tax. That would be in addition to an existing 3 percent county lodging tax and a 3 percent tax commonly imposed by local jurisdictions.
The letter by Morris came after critical comments by fellow Trustee Don Culp about the proposal to save the convention center. Culp last week blasted the lodging tax plan, saying it was essentially a tax on the Dayton suburbs, which have 83 percent of the hotel/motel rooms in the county.
Culp said there was no communication with his jurisdiction about the convention center proposal. Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley said she later spoke with Culp, apologized for the lack of communication and said she would be an advocate for communities like Miami Twp. to have a say on a panel established by the county.
-MORE COVERAGE ON THIS ISSUE:
EARLIER: Dayton mayor sorry for excluding others in convention center tax plan
EARLIER: Trustees blast county hotel tax hike plan for Dayton Convention Center
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