The City of Belleville will be continuing its partnership with the Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board, when it comes to splitting the money collected through the municipal accommodation tax.
The MAT is a 4% fee, collected on overnight stays at hotels or other accommodations in the city, and by provincial mandate must be split 50/50 with an “eligible tourism entity”.
A staff report approved by Council on Monday suggests continuing to split that money with the marketing board through March 31, 2023, as long as a number of conditions are followed, including:
- An annual business plan and budget is to be presented each year
- An annual report is to be provided to staff at the end of each year
- The city will provide quarterly MAT payments to the BQRMB based on the funds received to date
- 80% of the MAT funds are to be spent promoting Belleville, with 20% to be spent jointly promoting the city and other member communities in the BQRMB
- 75% of the MAT are to be allocated/spent in any given year
- The city and BQRMB are encouraged to work collaboratively on projects and initiatives to ensure there is no duplication of efforts
- Annual audited financial statements are required
- The agreement term expires on March 31, 2023
- There is a 180-day termination notice requirement
Since the MAT was implemented in 2019, the city has provided close to $464,000 to the marketing board, to be used to promote the city and the greater Quinte Region.
