Hospitality Tax Increase

At a glance

• What: The City's hospitality tax rate doubled from 1% to 2% on October 1.
• Where it stands: About $1.8M is expected this fiscal year of about $2.4M annual. About $830K a year goes to the 10-year parking deck note and about $969K to other uses such as a Christmas tree (about $45K), Citizens Park LED lighting (about $620K over about three years) and entryway landscaping.
• Next: A budget amendment for hospitality tax receipts is on the October 26 agenda.

Details

• An earlier hospitality tax work session was held June 8 (outside the built range; not read).
• Built from the City's posted agendas and the draft minutes copied into later agenda packets; the City's own posted minutes could not be opened. Private individuals are not named; private addresses are given by street name only.

Sources

• Agendas and minutes portal: https://edoc.cityofaikensc.gov/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=2813&dbid=0&repo=City-of-Aiken-LF (Council agendas) and https://edoc.cityofaikensc.gov/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=2804&dbid=0&repo=City-of-Aiken-LF (Council minutes)
• City website: https://www.cityofaikensc.gov/ (City Council: https://www.cityofaikensc.gov/government/city-council/)

Log

2026-10-12 - City Council Work Session

• Revenue and planned uses presented.

2026-10-26 - City Council

• Budget amendment for hospitality tax receipts on the agenda.