A transient shall pay a tax in the amount of five percent (5%) of the rent for the privilege of occupancy in a hotel in the City. The tax constitutes a debt owed by the transient to the City, and the debt is extinguished only upon payment of the tax by the operator to the City. The transient shall pay the tax to the operator at the time rent is paid. The operator shall enter the tax into the record when rent is collected if the operator keeps records on the cash accounting basis and when earned if the operator keeps records on the accrual accounting basis. If the rent is paid in installments, a proportionate share of the tax shall be paid by the transient to the operator with each installment. In all cases, rent paid or charged for occupancy excludes the sale of goods, services or commodities. (Ord. 493-92, 4-13-1992)