The Hotel Occupancy Tax is a tax collected on eligible overnight stays at hotels and motels in Enid. It is paid by guests as part of the cost of their stay.

If approved by voters, the Enid Hotel Occupancy Tax would increase from 8% to 12%, effective October 1.

The proposed ordinance applies only to hotels and motels and does not apply to private, owner-occupied short-term rentals listed through platforms such as Airbnb or Vrbo.

Use of Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue is restricted by law to eligible tourism-related purposes. These funds can be used to support projects and initiatives that attract visitors, strengthen the local economy, and enhance community amenities such as parks, recreation, sports facilities, walking trails, community events, and tourism promotion.

Simply put, it's The Tax You Don't Pay—a visitor-paid tax that helps invest in Enid's future.

As specified in the city ordinance, Hotel Occupancy Tax funds may be used only for eligible tourism-related purposes. This includes projects and initiatives that promote tourism, recreation, conventions, and community attractions, such as parks, walking trails, sports facilities, events and tourism promotion.

No. The law restricts how Hotel Occupancy Tax funds can be used. The revenue cannot be diverted to general city operations or unrelated expenses. It must be spent on legally eligible tourism-related purposes.

City Hotel Occupancy Tax funds are allocated through the City of Enid's public budgeting process. The Enid City Commission approves expenditures by law, ensuring funds are used only for eligible tourism-related purposes. The county’s share goes to the Garfield County Fairgrounds Trust Authority for use at the Chisholm Trail Expo Center.

Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue is managed as part of the City's financial system. Like other public funds, it is tracked through the City's budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting processes.

Yes. The City of Enid's budgets, financial reports, and City Commission meetings are public information. Residents can review these records to see how public funds, including Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue, are allocated and spent.

Based on current hotel activity, the proposed increase is projected to generate more than $700,000 in additional annual revenue. Actual revenue will vary depending on hotel occupancy and visitor activity.

Additional Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue can help fund eligible tourism-related projects that enhance our community, attract more visitors, and support local businesses. These investments may include parks, walking trails, sports and recreation facilities, community events and other attractions that improve quality of life for both residents and visitors.

The entire community can benefit! Visitors support local hotels, restaurants, retail stores, gas stations, and attractions during their stay. At the same time, Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue can be invested in projects and amenities that residents enjoy every day, helping make Enid an even better place to live and visit.

Visitors spend money throughout the community when they travel to Enid for tournaments, conventions, concerts, festivals, business meetings, and other events. That spending supports local businesses and contributes to economic activity throughout the community.

By law, Hotel Occupancy Tax funds can be used for eligible tourism-related purposes. Examples include:

• Parks

• Walking trails

• Sports and recreation facilities

• Community events and festivals

• Tourism promotion

• Family-friendly attractions

• Entertainment opportunities

• Stride Bank Center

• Chisholm Trail Expo Center

• Other projects that encourage visitors to come to Enid

Tourism is an investment in Enid's future. Attracting more visitors brings new dollars into our community, supports local businesses, creates opportunities for economic growth, and helps fund amenities that both visitors and residents can enjoy. 

The proposed increase changes the Hotel Occupancy Tax, not the price hotels charge for their rooms. Even with the proposed increase, the additional cost to a typical overnight stay is only a few dollars - about $4 per night on average, depending on the room rate. 

While the proposed Hotel Occupancy Tax rate would increase to 12%, Enid's average hotel room rates remain among the most affordable compared to many Oklahoma communities that regularly host tournaments, conventions, and special events. When travelers choose a destination, they look at the total cost of their stay, and Enid continues to offer excellent value for visitors.

Hotel rates are determined by each hotel based on market conditions, competition, and demand. The proposed measure changes the Hotel Occupancy Tax, not the room rate itself. This proposal would add $4 to the cost of a typical $100 motel room, and it’s unlikely that $4 would cause visitors to commute from another city. The goal of this proposal is to strengthen Enid's ability to attract more visitors while maintaining affordable lodging options.

People visit Enid for many reasons, including youth sports tournaments, business travel, conventions, concerts, community events, family visits, and local attractions. Investments in tourism, recreation, and community attractions can help make Enid an even more appealing destination for visitors while enhancing the quality of life for local residents.

The Enid Hotel Occupancy Tax Initiative is supported by the Citizens for Enid Tourism Committee, a volunteer committee of local residents, business leaders and community members who believe this initiative is an opportunity to strengthen Enid's future. The committee created this website, the social media page, and other educational materials to provide factual information, answer common questions, and help voters better understand the proposed Hotel Occupancy Tax increase. Co-chairs of the Citizens for Enid Tourism are David Henneke and Coulten Cue.

Like most community initiatives, this campaign is funded through private contributions from individuals, businesses and organizations that support the proposal. Those contributions help cover the costs of educational materials, printing, advertising, website development and community outreach.