Battle over how lodging tax monies are to be spent reaches city council

In advance of a key vote this week, Ely council members weighed in on the debate over how to spend proceeds from the area’s lodging tax.

After hearing from the head of Ely’s tourism bureau, council members accepted her recommendation and directed their representative on the Ely Area Lodging Tax Board to support her recommendation when the board convenes Oct. 13.

Abby Dare, the tourism bureau’s executive director, asked that the bureau continue to receive 95 percent of lodging tax funds next year.