City Manager Talks Building 'A Consortium Of Communities' To Advocate For New Tourism Tax
By Craig Manning | Aug. 20, 2026
A year after a citizen-led petition ignited conversations about a new type of visitor lodging tax in Traverse City, City Manager Benjamin Marentette is taking up the cause in a big way. Marentette recently told city commissioners he was putting together a statewide coalition to lobby legislators for a tourist tax that could help fund public safety services, infrastructure improvements, and more. The Ticker sat down with Marentette for an inside look at his efforts so far.
Ticker: How long has this idea been percolating in your brain?
Marentette: I've worked for the city for over two decades, and I've been thinking about this concept for at least the last …
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Concerts On the Lawn: K. Jones & the Benzie Playboys
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