Countywide overnight lodging tax revenue has rebounded past pre-pandemic levels.
The totals are the highest since at least 2014 for each of the first three months of this year, according to information from Gettysburg Borough Superintendent Charles Gable presented Monday at a regular meeting of the borough council.
The borough’s revenue share was $9,360 in March this year, compared to $8,185 in 2019, which was the previous high after 2014. At the start of the pandemic, March revenue dropped to 2 $740 in 2020 and $6,966 in 2021.
The February figures were $8,083 in 2022; $4,734 in 2021; $7,064 in 2020; and $5,686 in 2019. The 2020 figure was the previous high.
January totals were $6,177 in 2022; $3,603 in 2021; $5,709 in 2020; and $48.38 in 2019. The 2020 figure was the previous high.
State law defines the distribution of “pillow tax” funds in Adams County.
The tax rate on accommodation bills was increased from 3% to 5% in 2012, when local lawmakers worked to change the law to require eligible local municipalities to receive a share of the revenue. To qualify, a municipality must have both accommodation companies and a full-time police department.
Funds are collected by Adams County, which receives a 4.5% administration fee.
Of the remainder, the county gets an additional 12.5% and an additional 12.5% is split among eligible municipalities.
The remaining 75% goes to Destination Gettysburg (DG), which promotes countywide tourism.
Gable said he and board member Patricia Lawson met with DG officials last week to discuss pillow tax revenue.
Lawson has called for greater transparency from DGs in the past, but said the organization’s latest annual report contained a lot of financial information.
She says she is “very optimistic” about the relationship between the borough and the DG.
In another sign of renewed economic activity, more than 100 land use permit applications had been received as of April 30, said the borough’s director of planning, zoning and code enforcement, Carly Marshall.
The total was up 21% from 2021 and “in line with” 2019, she said.
“Looks like we’re kind of back to a normal level,” Marshall said.
The borough requires a land use permit for new buildings, additions and renovations.
Additionally, the borough’s parking revenue in April was up significantly from April 2019, council chairman Wesley Heyser said.
In other matters, Police Chief Robert Glenny thanked the DG for allowing the police department to use his facility at 1560 Fairfield Road in Cumberland Township for classroom training this year and last year .
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