Michael Johnstone, staff writer

EAGLE NEST — The Eagle Nest Lodgers’ Tax Advisory Board proposed increasing the village’s Occupancy Tax an additional two percent. At its regular meeting, Wednesday, April 30, the Lodgers’ Tax committee approved a recommendation to increase the occupancy tax from three percent, where it has been since 1976, to five percent. The Village Council will vote on the recommendation at their next regular meeting, Wednesday, May 28th.
Lodgers’ Tax, also known as an Occupancy Tax, is a tax on all room rentals, including RV spaces, where guests stay fewer than 30 days. Seventy-five percent of the monies collected through the tax are used by the Chamber of Commerce for advertising and marketing the Village of Eagle Nest.
According to Committee Member Bruce Manakas of the Golden Eagle RV Park, the proposed increase is absolutely necessary. “Our lodgers’ tax revenue has been fairly flat the last few years, and with the rising price of advertising we need the higher rate to continue to attract more tourists to Eagle Nest. We will use the money to advertise in magazines, newspapers and travel guides,” stated Manakas. If passed by the Council, the increased rate will bring Eagle Nest into line with other northern New Mexican communities such as Angel Fire and Red River, which both currently have a lodgers’ tax of five percent.