On Tuesday, the Waco City Council will decide whether to move forward with a plan to create a Public Improvement District.
Under the proposal, 15 hotels with 75 or more rooms in Waco, including the Hilton, Hotel Indigo, Comfort Suites, Candlewood Suites and La Quinta Inn, would charge an additional two percent tax for guests.
The estimated $1 million collected from the extra revenue would be used to attract guests to the city through marketing. It would also offer perks to businesses who book their corporate events in the city, such as paying for convention center space or transportation.
"It makes Waco more competitive. It allows us to use some of those dollars for incentives to bring groups in. Maybe a sporting group, a convention group," Waco Convention Center and Visitor's Bureau Director of Marketing Carla Pendergraft said.
Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington are already operating their public improvement district. Austin and San Antonio are in the formation process of their PID after receiving approval from the legislature.
"For many years, we have competed and won groups without incentives but to bring us to the next level where we are filled Monday, Tuesday. Wednesday, Thursday. That's the challenge," Pendergraft said.
Waco residents Central Texas News Now spoke to on Monday were supportive of the proposal.
"I believe it will be a good idea. I think it will benefit the community and the tourists so they have a better time when they come to Waco," Jason Perez said.
Beverly Chatman who has lived in Waco since 1999 said she thinks it will help create more jobs in the area.
"I think it's pretty good for the simple fact that is bringing more people, more business and building Waco in general," Chatman said.
Pendergraft said if approved, the district would also allow Waco's tourism numbers to remain high even if the number of visitors at attractions, such as Magnolia Market, declines.
"We don't think tourism will go down to the low levels we had to begin with. We think it's going to stay at a high level but we want to make sure everything we want to make sure we do everything we can to bring in visitors," Pendergraft said.
The Greater Waco Hotel and Lodging Association and Texas Hotel & Lodging Association are in support of the PID.
Central Texas News Now reached out to the hotels that would be part of the PID and is waiting to hear back.
Once the city council votes on the resolution on Tuesday, Texas legislators would have to approve the PID before it can be formed.
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