Bed tax could put vocal hall on PBS

MERCER, Pa. — Mercer County commissioners want some of the county’s bed tax to be used to help the Vocal Group Hall of Fame fund a promotion that could bring it millions of dollars.

Commissioner Olivia Lazor said at the chief clerk’s meeting that she will write a letter to Mercer County’s Convention & Visitors Bureau stating commissioners want to see $50,000 of the hotel tax proceeds go to the hall to provide a local match for a $200,000 grant from the state.

The grant would allow the hall of fame to produce a DVD of an induction ceremony and have it promoted on a PBS telethon, Lazor said.

She added Tuesday that this promotion “could bring millions of dollars” to the hall of fame, a museum and theater located at 82 W. State St., Sharon.

The commissioners have never dictated what projects the bureau supports, but they have ultimate authority over the bed tax income, which provides its income.

The bed tax is levied at hotels and other such establishments. County commissioners instituted a 2 percent bed tax in August 2000. It was later raised to 3 percent.

Lazor said the tax is now bringing in $450,000 annually, much more than originally anticipated when the tax was imposed in 2000. She said that with three to five new hotels planned in the county, proceeds from the tax could rise to $1 million annually.

Commissioner Kenneth Seamans said he would like to see a review of the entire Visitors and Convention Bureau budget, commenting, “We need more information from them on where the money is being spent.”

The bureau, which has offices at 50 N. Water Ave., has two full-time employees.