In an effort to level the playing field for Minot hotels, the Minot City Council on Tuesday supported a proposal from Visit Minot to enact a $1 a day “leisure fee” on extended stays that aren’t subject to the city’s lodging tax.

The city imposes a lodging tax of 3% on hotel/motel stays of 30 or fewer days. According to city staff, administration is difficult because certain hotels string together multiple short-term reservations to exceed the 30-day limit to exempt the entire stay from the lodging tax.

Visit Minot proposed the city adopt an ordinance imposing a leisure fee on extended stays beyond 30 days at hotels or motels within the city. The fee would be collected beginning on the first day of the stay, and the 3% lodging tax would not be collected.

Visit Minot asked to receive the proceeds to promote tourism in the city. The fee is estimated to generate $75,000 a year.

The council voted 7-0 to direct the city attorney to draft an ordinance for the fee and its distribution to Visit Minot.