Harford County Hotel Tax A Step Closer To Reality

Harford County is one step closer to a hotel tax.

A proposal that would give Harford County what all other counties in the state have—a percentage of all hotel room bookings in the county—will go before the House on Monday, according to county officials.

According to the state's legislative branch, the bill is sponsored by Delegates Mary-Dulany James and Glen Glass, and is due to be given a favorable review by the House Ways & Means Committee on Monday.

"We're further along than we've ever been in the past five or six years," Aberdeen Mayor Michael Bennett told Patch Saturday night. "It's out of committee, which is really great. We should make out a lot better. I'm really keeping my fingers crossed."

Aberdeen would stand to benefit a good deal, considering the city has hotels in its limits. The majority of hotels in the county are located between Riverside and Aberdeen, in close proximity to Aberdeen Proving Ground and Ripken Stadium.

A rough estimate indicates the county should receive at least $3 million annually if the bill passes, Bennett said.

The original bill—which has been amended—would tax hotel guests six percent on rooms reserved in Haford County, similar to taxes paid at hotels across the country.

If the House OKs the bill, it would then go before the Senate.

Stay with Patch for continuing coverage.

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