Campers brought in extra lodging tax revenue for Electric City

Electric City's tourism fund appears to have benefitted during the COVID-19 pandemic, while Grand Coulee has brought in more sales tax this year, reflecting different areas of strength in each city's economy.

The Star looked at data provided by city clerks, which show that Electric City's revenue from lodging tax, collected on motel and campground stays, went up in 2020. That revenue category went down in Grand Coulee and Coulee Dam last year, which may reflect the fact that Electric City has far more campsites.

Electric City benefits from the lodging tax raised at both Sunbanks Resort and Coulee Playland campgrounds, as well as the Skydeck Motel.

The city brought in about $84,000 in lodging tax in 2018, $74,000 in 2019, and then $107,400 in 2020, a 45% increase over 2019.

By contrast, Coulee Dam brought in about $38,000 in lodging tax in 2018, $41,600 in 2019, and $28,400 in 2020. It gets that tax from two motels, but no campgrounds.

Grand Coulee showed the least fluctuation, bringing in about $22,800 in lodging tax in 2018, $24,200 in 2019, and $21,300 in 2020. It collects the tax from two motels, plus two campgrounds. The tax is not collected on long-term rentals.

Coulee Playland Owner Hal Rauch confirmed what the data suggests - that more people were camping in 2020 than usual. 

"We saw an increase in just about every sales category we have, including occupancy camping," he told The Star over the phone on Tuesday.

"We just never knew from month to month how it was going to go," Rauch continued. "Once we got into the season, we were busy from May to September. It was always a surprise and a welcome thing, but we never took it for granted because it could have changed at any time." 

Sales tax

With sales tax, Grand Coulee brings in the most revenue of the three cities with an approximate sales tax revenue of $303,500 in 2018 and $312,800 in 2019. That bumped up to $334,400 in 2020.

Coulee Dam's sales tax revenue went down with the city bringing in about $76,900 in 2018, $81,800 in 2019, and $66,800 in 2020.

Electric City brought in about $91,000 in sales tax revenue in 2018, $73,000 in 2019, and $82,500 in 2020.