Accommodations tax should be used for beaches

Somehow the recent story in The Sun News, “Army Corps passes over MB, NMB for funding,” simply didn't seem right. When staying at Myrtle Beach hotels I recalled on my bill a total of 12 percent tax. North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach have subtle differences in the breakdown of taxes collected on items such as prepared food; retail sales; and lodging.

Hidden are the mysterious sales taxes on prepared food, 10.5 percent; 8 percent on retail sales; and the 12 percent lodging tax in MB. Space prohibits all of the mysterious breakdowns of what each tax represents. The tax breakdown is 5 percent for S.C.; 2 percent accommodations (lodging tax); and a 2 percent amusement tax.

NMB specifies online that their accommodations tax “must” be used for maintenance of beaches and oceanfront access-way. MB also similarly addresses the rationale behind collecting these taxes. Harking back to 1984, Wendy's had a top-rated ad slogan with an older lady looking at a small hamburger on a bun and yelling out “Where's the Beef?” Huh?

NMB spokesman Pat Dowling said in The Sun News, “We're not going to cry over spilled milk, we're going to continue to look for emergency funding.” So “Where's the Beef (Money)” for our beaches?

This story was originally published March 9, 2016 at 1:56 PM with the headline "Accommodations tax should be used for beaches."