Excelsior Springs voters narrowly approved a 5% transient guest tax on overnight lodging during the Aug. 4 Primary Election, creating a dedicated funding source for tourism promotion.

Clay County saw moderate voter participation in the Aug. 4 Primary Election, with unofficial results showing 31.77% of registered voters cast ballots across all precincts. Of the 186,469 registered voters, 59,238 cast ballots in the election.

The bed tax measure passed with 1,057 votes (51.49%) in favor and 996 votes (48.51%) opposed after votes from both Clay and Ray counties were combined. The proposal establishes a 5% transient guest tax on overnight lodging, including hotels, bed-andbreakfasts and short-term rentals, with revenue restricted by Missouri law for tourism promotion and destination marketing. The Ray County portion of Excelsior Springs also supported the measure, with 33% in favor and –21% against.

In addition to the tourism tax, Clay County voters also decided the nomination for presiding co…