DOUBLE SPRINGS - The Winston County Commission passed the following Winston County Unification Resolution at their February 9, meeting.
The resolution reads as follows:
Press Release
Chairman David Cummings, and Associate Commissioners, Roger Hayes and Rutger Hyche passed the Winston County Unification Resolution at the Winston County Commission meeting Monday February 10th. This Resolution takes an important step forward in preserving and advancing the future prosperity of our County and its residents.
First, the Commissioners agreed on the final language of the first lodging tax for Winston County. This Legislation asks visitors coming to stay in one of the rentals located in the county to share in the cost of providing services within Winston County. This is not a tax on the residents of the County. Once passed by the citizens, this lodging tax will help provide much needed funding for infrastructure where the assets generating the funds are located.
The lodging tax will also provide funding for our sheriff and the fire departments who protect our citizens and tourists alike. This revenue will allow for the promotion of tourism to bring more people to our county as they enjoy the beauty and natural resources we are blessed to have here in Winston County. Finally, a portion of the tax will be dedicated to retiring the debt on the judicial building/jail building early and will free up additional road and bridge funds once the debt is paid.
This Resolution also renews the Commission’s commitment to the healthcare and economic growth of our county. The Commission has agreed to give a transition loan to the Health Care Authority as Lakeland Community Hospital transitions from an Acute Care Hospital to a Critical Access Hospital. This process is difficult in any circumstance, as during the transition, the hospital does not receive any payments for the services provided until months later when the new billing system is completed by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and their billing contractor. This transition was made even more difficult by the government shutdown in October and November of this past year.
With these steps, the Commission wants to let the citizens know that they are working together for a better future for us all. The transition loan to the Health Care Authority will be paid back with interest, benefiting not only the Health Care Authority now, but the County in the future. The revenue generated from the lodging tax will benefit the County for generations to come.
Thank you for your support for these important steps forward for our County.
An article further explaining this resolution will appear in the Wednesday, February 25, edition of the Alabamian.
See complete story in the Northwest Alabamian.
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