Assembly Vice President Tyson Cox speaks during a Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly work session in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly Vice President Tyson Cox speaks during a Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly work session in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Applications open for working group tasked with exploring bed tax

Of the group’s seven voting members, four will be members of the public and three will be representatives of the tourism industry

The application period is open for seats on the Kenai Peninsula Borough’s Tourism Industry Working Group, which this winter will explore the benefits and impacts of tourism on borough revenue, costs and services — including the effects of a potential bed tax.

The group was established by the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly during their Sept. 3 meeting following discussions over the summer regarding the proposal of a tax on short-term rentals, often called a bed tax.

Applications are being accepted for the group’s seven voting members, four of whom will be members of the public and three will be representatives of the tourism industry. From the applications, Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche will make appointments to the group, which must be approved by the assembly. Rounding out the group in non-voting roles will be the borough mayor and two assembly members appointed by the assembly president.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

A portal on the borough’s website, under “Quick Links” at kpb.us, leads to a brief application asking for name, address and contact information. Applicants are also asked to describe their background and interest in the group.

The resolution creating the group, adopted by the assembly, says that the group will evaluate “tourism benefits and impacts” on the borough; discussing options to ensure “visitors are paying their fair share for the services they use;” and assessing the effects of a potential bed tax.

Creation of the group came after the assembly considered in June a resolution that would have added a question to the October ballot asking borough voters whether the borough should levy such a tax. After roughly 80 minutes of testimony largely in opposition and largely by representatives of Kenai Peninsula lodging operations, the resolution was tabled.

Assembly member Tyson Cox, a sponsor of the bed tax resolution, told the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday that the tourism industry has repeatedly said, when the concept of a bed tax is raised, that the issue comes at the height of their season when they don’t have time to engage.

“The idea is to do this working group in the wintertime, when they will be able to participate,” he said.

Per the application, the working group will be tasked with delivering “a comprehensive report” before the start of the 2025 tourism season.

The application and the text of the resolution can be found at kpb.us, under “Tourism Industry Working Group Application” on the homepage. A date hasn’t been set for the close of applications, though the resolution says that the group’s first meeting cannot occur prior to Oct. 22. Their last meeting will be by April 15.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

Pool manager and swim coach Will Hubler leads a treading water exercise at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Swimmers, parents call on Kenai to support Kenai Central pool

The KPBSD Board of Education last week said communities will need to step up and take over administration of pools within the next year.

Traffic passes by South Spruce Street in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai drops effort to rename South Spruce Street

The resolution would have changed the name to make it clear which road led to North Kenai Beach

Gov. Mike Dunleavy compares Alaska to Mississippi data on poverty, per-pupil education spending, and the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress fourth grade reading scores during a press conference on Jan. 31, 2025. Alaska is highlighted in yellow, while Mississippi is in red. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Dunleavy calls special session for August

Lawmakers on Wednesday said they were surprised by the move.

A makeshift coffin decrying the risks of Medicaid funding cuts is seen on Thursday, June 26, in front of the Blazy Mall in Soldotna. The cuts were included in legislation passed by the U.S. Senate early Tuesday morning. (Photo by Jonas Oyoumick/Peninsula Clarion)
Ahead of Senate vote, Soldotna protesters defend Medicaid funding

Cuts to the program were included in legislation passed by the U.S. Senate early Tuesday morning.

Board President Zen Kelly speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough school board to finalize budget

The new budget designed by the committee will be considered at a public hearing during the full board meeting on Monday evening.

The Russian River Sanctuary Area is seen in the area labeled B in this map provided by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. (courtesy)
Strong sockeye run prompts early open of Russian River Sanctuary

In regulation, the confluence is expected to be open from July 15 to Aug. 20.

The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from above on Monday, Aug. 26 on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alaska Wildland Fire Information)
Burn suspension lifted for Kenai Peninsula and Kodiak

The public is asked to remain vigilant while burning due to minimal available resources.

Commanding Officer Corey Engel, Rear Adm. Megan Dean, and former ASPEN Commanding Officer Shea Winterberger smile for a photograph during the Change of Command ceremony on Thursday, June 26, 2025, on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
USCG ASPEN changes command

Commanding Officer Corey Engel will be in charge of the cutter’s operations and crew.

Volunteers repair the trails at Erik Hansen Scout Park in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Volunteers revitalize Kenai scout park

Kenai’s Erik Hansen Scout Park overlooks the mouth of the Kenai River in Old Town.

Most Read