Official election results show Hot Sulphur Springs residents approve of lodging tax
Martin J. Smith/Courtesy Photo
Results of the Nov. 5 election are now officially certified. Hot Sulphur Springs had two ballot questions, as well as a board of trustees election.
Hot Sulphur residents pass one ballot measure, deny another
Residents of Hot Sulphur Springs had two questions about potential taxes on their ballot. Ballot Issue 2C, a town lodging tax, narrowly passed by 11 votes. The ballot issue had 211 (51%) residents vote for the tax, and 200 voters (49%) against the tax.
The ballot issue asked for a 3% lodging tax, paid only by overnight visitors — for example, those staying at Hot Springs Resort. The new tax, beginning January 2025, will fund projects and services addressing visitors impacts, as well as any other municipal purpose. This includes water, sewer, infrastructure and roads.
Ballot Issue 2B, a construction use tax, failed.
“While we are disappointed that only one of the ballot measures for the Town passed, we are pleased that we will be receiving some much-needed revenue in the future to assist with infrastructure repairs and improvements that are vital to our community,” stated Hot Sulphur Springs Clerk Katie LaDrig.
Residents of Hot Sulphur Springs voted to deny a 4% tax for storing and using construction materials. 332 (81%) residents voted against the tax, with 78 (19%) in favor of the tax.
Who won the board of trustees election?
This year three trustee seats were open for the Hot Sulphur Springs Board of Trustees with four candidates running. Stacey Paulson, Richard A. Gott and Ann E. Stiefel won the race, with 839 total votes cast.
Paulson led with 263 votes (31.35%), 240 votes were cast for Gott (28.61%) and Stiefel received 194 votes (23.12%). Desiree G. Priest had 142 votes.
“Thank you for voting for me, and I will do my very best to take care of the public of Hot Sulphur Springs,” Gott told Sky-Hi News.
Gott and Paulson are incumbents that already serve on the board. Gott was appointed as a trustee in April 2023 and Paulson was appointed in June 2024. The trustees will all serve a four-year term.
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