The owner of a local inn paid more than $30,000 in late hotel/motel taxes last week, but still owes nearly $10,000 to the county in penalties and interest.

Dena Bosten, chief financial officer for the Dawson County Board of Commissioners, said Comfort Inn, operated as Spectrum Management and owned by Vilas Patel, made a lump payment of $30,572.05 toward delinquent taxes on March 24.

The taxes owed dated back to July, August, September and October of last year.

Outstanding penalties and interest total $9,830.73.

Additionally, there could be legal fees associated with attempting to recover the delinquent funds, according to Bosten.

County Manager Cindy Campbell said the county has remained in a constant battle over late hotel/motel taxes with Comfort Inn for the last several years.

Hotel/motel taxes are due to the county by the 20th of each month for the previous month.

The tax rate, which is a percentage of the room rate, is 8 percent in the county.

The funds support and promote tourism-related initiatives.

An employee at Comfort Inn referred questions to management, who did not immediately reply.

Attempts to reach the hotel's corporate headquarters also were not successful.