Cheyenne Mayor Rick Kaysen says he is pleased Laramie County voters approved renewal of a pair of local taxes in Tuesday's general election.

Both the 5th penny sales tax and the county's lodging tax cruised to victory among local voters. The 5th penny tax is primarily used for road and street projects, but also provides revenue for local law enforcement, the Cheyenne Animal Shelter and other causes.

The four percent lodging tax is levied on hotel rooms and other lodging facilities, with proceeds going to promote the local travel industry. The lodging tax is the main source of funding for Visit Cheyenne, which works to draw visitors to the area via radio, television and newspaper advertising as well as billboards and other promotional efforts.

The mayor says the fifth penny renewal allows work on local infrastructure to move ahead. He says it's also good news because the public apparently thinks local government is putting the money to good use.

Kaysen says the lodging tax "keeps Cheyenne on the map" in terms of drawing visitors to the area. Two new hotels have been built in the area over the past year, and a Hilton Garden Inn is planned for downtown.

 

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