Johnson City Leaders Will Take A Final Vote This Evening On An Occupancy Tax Increase. This Will Move The Tax Of Hotels And Motels From Five To Seven Percent. According To State Law, The Additional Money Has To Go Toward Tourism-Related Purposes. The Extra Money Is Expected To Go To East Tennessee State University’s 40 Million Dollars Fine And Performing Arts Center And Renovations To Freedom Hall Civic Center. It Would Go Into Effect August 1st.