(a) There is hereby levied an excise tax on transactions by which lodging by a hotel or motel is or is to be furnished to transient guests of three percent (3%) of the amount paid or to be paid by the transient guests for the lodging for the purpose of providing revenue with which to meet the needs of the City.
(b) Such tax, which shall be known as the transient occupancy tax, applies and is collectible at the time the lodging is furnished, regardless of the time when the price is paid.
(c) For the purpose of the proper administration of this Chapter and to prevent the evasion of the tax, it is presumed that all lodging furnished by hotels in this City to transient guests is subject to the tax until the contrary is established.
(Ord. 121-72. Passed 1-8-73.)