–The City of Algona saw a slight decrease in hotel/motel tax receipts over the last year. The Algona City Council received a presentation Tuesday from a couple of the local groups who receive funding from those tax dollars. The Algona Chamber of Commerce receives 25% of the hotel/motel tax funds, and Executive Director Avery Pedersen told the council they spend most of that money on advertising.
Pedersen says they also use the funds to assist with events like Band Day.
Mark Davis serves as Vice President of the Camp Algona POW Museum board, which receives 20% of the funds. Davis says those funds help the museum with their day to day operations.
Davis says the museum saw visitors from all over the country last year.
The total amount brought in by the hotel/motel tax was $179,631 in 2024, which was down from just over $191,000 in 2023. The rest of the money is divided up amongst the city’s general fund, parks and recreation, and the Algona Area Economic Development Corporation.