BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — Ennis voters have overwhelmingly rejected placing a 3 percent resort tax on restaurant fare and other items commonly purchased by tourists.
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports unofficial results from the Madison County elections department show the measure went down 300-75 in a mail-in vote. The ballots were counted Tuesday.
Several downtown businesses argued the tax would discourage out-of-town shoppers push businesses outside city limits, while supporters argued a resort tax would let the town on the Madison River to benefit more from its busy tourist season.
The tax would have been imposed from July 1 through Sept. 30 and the money used to reduce property taxes.
Seven towns in Montana, including West Yellowstone and Big Sky, have resort taxes.
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