The Butler County commissioners today approved a 2 percent increase in the county bed tax.

The rate hike from 3 percent to 5 percent takes effect in August and covers all lodging rented in the county that provides water service, including cabins and university housing used for any purpose aside from residential students.

The county expects tourism to receive a $600,000 boost from the tax hike. The current 3 percent tax raised about $1.6 million for the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau.

Under state requirements, the money must be used for tourism. The state no longer funds the marketing of individual counties, so it provided away for counties to raise more funds.