The only city in Dickinson County that does NOT collect a lodging tax will take that issue to the voters in November. Orleans Mayor Bill Maas says it wasn’t much of an issue, until the state of Iowa passed legislation allowing the short-term rental of homes.

Maas says collecting the tax is a way to find out how many properties are actually being listed on the “Vacation Rental By Owner” website.

The Orleans city council voted 4 to 1 to place the Hotel-Motel tax on the ballot. Terry Wilts said he wanted an idea of how many homes are being rented out to tourists first.