(a) The consumer shall pay to the hotel operator the amount of tax imposed hereunder, which tax shall be added to and shall constitute a part of the consideration paid for the use and occupancy of the hotel room, and which tax shall be collectible as such by the hotel operator who shall account for, and remit to the City, all taxes paid by consumers. The hotel operator shall separately state the tax authorized by this article on all bills, invoices, accounts, books of account, and records relating to consideration paid for occupancy or use of a hotel room. The hotel operator may commingle taxes collected hereunder with the proceeds of the rental of hotel accommodations unless the City shall, by ordinance, order, regulation, or otherwise require in writing the hotel operator to segregate such taxes collected from such proceeds. The City's claim for the hotel tax shall be enforceable against, and shall be superior to, all other claims against the moneys so commingled excepting only claims of the State for moneys held by the hotel pursuant to the provisions of West Virginia Code Article 11-15. All taxes collected pursuant to the provisions of this article shall be deemed to be held in trust by the hotel until the same shall have been remitted to the City as hereinafter provided.
(b) A hotel or hotel operator shall not represent to the public in any manner, directly or indirectly, that it will absorb all or any part of the tax or that the tax is not to be considered an element in the price to be collected from the consumer.
(Passed 9-1-88)