ITEM TITLE:
#26-03 - Amending Chapter 3.24 of the Valdez Municipal Code Titled Public Accommodation Tax (Amended). Second Reading. Adoption.
SUBMITTED BY: Elise Sorum-Birk, Deputy City Clerk/ Jake Staser, City Attorney
FISCAL NOTES:
Expenditure Required: n/a
Unencumbered Balance: n/a
Funding Source: n/a
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve Ordinance 26-03 in second reading.
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
Chapter 3.24 of the Valdez Municipal Code was last updated by Ordinance 24-05 which added short-term rentals to the definition of “public accommodation” and required hosting platforms (like AirBNB or VRBO) to remit the tax on behalf of those using these platforms.
Since adoption of that ordinance, Council has more wholistically discussed this chapter of code various times, with specific focus on the need to alter Section 3.24.120 “Distribution of Funds”. Most recently, this chapter was the topic of a December 2025 work session.
City staff have identified a series of recommended administrative changes to correct minor omissions and clarify language generally. Council members expressed a desire to add RV Parks to the definition of “public accommodation” to capture revenue from an additional category of visitors.
At the City Council meeting on April 21, 2026, Council Member Austin Love requested that this ordinance be brought forward for first reading at the next regular meeting and other members consented.
At the May 6th meeting, Council adopted an amendment to remove the language related to recreational vehicle parks and campgrounds from the ordinance. The ordinance as amended was approved in first reading on May 26th and is now in second reading.
Ordinance 26-03 as amended is attached.