Courtesy: Kyleigh Panetta | News Source: wmdt.com

SUSSEX CO., Del. – Soon it’s going to be a little more expensive to stay at certain hotels in Sussex County. That’s because the County Council unanimously approved a 3 percent lodging tax on Tuesday.

The tax will only impact hotels, motels and tourist homes within unincorporated Sussex County. That means businesses in another municipality in the county won’t be affected  like Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach, Seaford and Laurel. Officials say about 40 businesses will be required to tax guests and that should bring about $1.3 million into the county.

“The philosophy is the funding is going to be generated by people that come here, visit here and stay in hotels or motels. And then that funding will go right back into the areas of need that those people who visit the county utilize,” says Todd Lawson, Sussex County Administrator.

Money raised through this tax will be spent on seven categories with dredging as the top priority. The other categories include beach replenishment, flood control, water quality, recreation and economic development. The tax will go into effect in January 2020.