Minn. firm didn't pay taxes on Ky. hotel before auction
by The Associated Press

OWENSBORO, Ky. -- A Minnesota firm that owned a western Kentucky hotel before it was auctioned in April failed to pay about $30,000 in hotel room taxes -- an omission that has left a government agency underfunded.

Officials with the Owensboro-Daviess Convention & Visitors Bureau say Minnesota/Owensboro Executive Inn LLC's failure to pay taxes on the Executive Inn Rivermont for three-and-a-half months has left the bureau with a deficit. The agency has reduced staff and is considering other cost-cutting measures to cope with the loss of funds.

Mike Fiorella, an attorney for Minnesota/Owensboro Executive Inn LLC, did not immediately return a message left Saturday by The Associated Press.

A room tax paid when people stay at a local hotel funds the visitors bureau. Hotels send the money to Daviess Fiscal Court, which distributes it to the visitors bureau.

Karen Miller, executive director of the visitors bureau, said the agency is unsure if it will ever receive the funding.