Aiken City Council discussed raising the local hospitality tax from 1% to 2% during a June 8 work session. The money would pay for a parking deck on Newberry Street and other tourism projects. The current 1% levy on prepared foods brought in $2.4 million in fiscal year 2024-25.
City Manager Stuart Bedenbaugh told the council the increase would mostly fund a parking structure tied to a development agreement with Oliver Hospitality. The firm has agreed to buy and refurbish the Hotel Aiken building and adjacent properties.
“The clock started on this discussion when we approved the development agreement with Oliver Hospitality,” Bedenbaugh said, per The Aiken Standard…