Voters in Maryville will decide on Tuesday whether to impose a “transient tax” on hotels and motels in the city. The five percent tax would be used to promote tourism, and would include funding to help pay for a new multipurpose complex on campus at Northwest Missouri State University.

The proposed $20 million Northwest Multipurpose Center would also provide space on campus for off-season athletic training.

City officials estimate the tax would generate about $215,000 per year. Tax funds would pay off about 17% of the $20 million facility and would also fund tourism and marketing efforts in the city. The university hopes to get private donations and other sources to pay for the remaining $16.5 million during the school’s capital campaign.

Northwest Missouri State President Dr. John Jasinski told the Maryville City Council in August that the center represents the largest public/private partnership in the 111-year history of the university.

Here’s the text of the ballot question:

“Shall the City of Maryville, Missouri, be authorized to impose a tax on the charges for all sleeping rooms paid by the transient guests of hotels and motels situated in Maryville, Missouri at a rate of five percent for the purpose of promoting tourism, including without limitation providing funds for a portion of the costs to construct, operate and maintain an indoor multipurpose complex to be located on the campus of, and to be owned by, Northwest Missouri State University?”