Westport will see approximately $200,000 in new revenue per year from an unlikely source, after voters approved an increase in the room tax charged to those who rent out stays in hotels, bed and breakfasts, short term rentals and other temporary lodging.

“We are strapped for revenue,” resident David Cole said from the floor. “Anything that we can do that gets around Proposition 2 1/2 ... is a positive thing to do.”

The vote to increase the local room tax from four to six percent is expected to kick in in January, after a floor amendment that would delay the increase until next year. Not doing so, several residents said, would penalize renters who have already booked out rooms this summer for rates that do not include the higher fees.

“I will pay a fee when I get a permit for my cottages,” short term rental owner Heather Cooper said. “I will pay taxes to the town and I will pay taxes to the state. I am paying three times — I’m just asking for a delay. As a businessperson, I don’t think I should have to” take a hit.

Funds collected during the 2026 fiscal year are not expected to be used for the town’s operations, as town administrator James Hartnett did not include revenue generated from the plan in his budget calculations. Instead, it is expected to go into free cash.