A lengthy debate at Belleville city council Tuesday night ended with a decision on who gets to spend the money from the newly formed Municipal Accommodation Tax or MAT.
The mandatory tax, which took effect in July, applies to hotels, bed and breakfasts and Airbnbs.
It amounts to about $900,000.
Fifty-percent goes to the city, but councillors took about an hour and a half deciding who gets the other half.
The debate was over whether the other 50% should go to the Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board or if that part should be divided up with the Quinte Accommodation and Attractions Association.
Mayor Mitch Panciuk tells Quinte News council wants to see how that money will be spent.
Councillor Kelly McCaw attacked the idea of including QAAA, accusing QAAA board member Brad Williams of lobbying councillors for the association.
Williams insisted he invited them to meet with him, “My intent was never to bribe them.”
McCaw pointed to the Empire Theatre which she said does much for tourism without receiving city support.
She insisted the marketing board should get the MAT dollars.
A first motion to split the money 25% and 25% between the two groups was defeated on a recorded vote with a split of four yea and four nay.
Councillor Ryan Williams had declared a conflict.
A second vote was unanimous in giving the 50% to the marketing Board.
Mayor Panciuk made this comment on the discussion.
