The City of West Columbia held the second of two public information meetings regarding a 2% Hospitality Tax, Monday.

Brian Carter, City Administrator, said many requests have been made to council for special projects, and a Hospitality Tax (H-Tax) – on prepared foods- could fund some of those requests, if passed. The Cayce West Columbia Chamber of Commerce requested that council consider the H-Tax.

Bill McEntire, owner of Outdoor Wood Furniture on Meeting Street, said he is for the tax.

McEntire requested that the city consider a facade grant program about two years ago.

Carter said a facade program, that would match funds to renovate storefronts, is a project that could be implemented with H-Tax money. He also said the meeting is the opportunity for the city to get feedback on projects the residents want to see, and their opinions on the H-Tax.

Mayor Bobby Horton – who was at the meeting Monday- said he thinks the H-Tax is a good idea. And he thinks council should vote to decide the issue as soon as possible.

Cayce, Columbia and the Town of Lexington, already have an H-Tax.

Steve Cohen is the owner of Hone Concepts Too. He is a strong advocate of the tax. He lives in Columbia, but spends much of his time in West Columbia. He said he dines out daily, in West Columbia.

“The financial burden of many projects within the city, such as the Riverwalk, currently falls on the shoulders of only the residents of West Columbia,” Cohen said.

Cohen said Richland County has had a Hospitality Tax since 2003, but he uses the Riverwalk and other recreational areas of West Columbia, and an H-tax would allow him to help support West Columbia. He also said if West Columbia doesn’t implement the H-Tax, Lexington County could, and the city would then only get only a fraction of the proceeds from the tax.

City council will hold a public hearing and first vote on the H-Tax next Monday (June 20.)