Edhat Staff
If approved, it would increase the tax paid by hotel/lodging guests in unincorporated areas of the county
On July 9th the Board of Supervisors voted to place a Santa Barbara County Essential Community Services Measure (2% Transient Occupancy Tax increase) on the November 5, 2024, General Election ballot for voter consideration.
If authorized by voters, the Measure would update the County’s existing transient occupancy tax (TOT) from its current 12% rate to 14%. The TOT would be paid by hotel/lodging guests in unincorporated areas, though all countywide registered voters would be eligible to vote on the Measure. The measure only requires a simple majority to enact.
“The budget outlook in upcoming fiscal years shows a deficit, which will make it increasingly difficult to fund local priorities that improve the quality of life in our County. If voters pass this Measure it would generate additional, locally controlled ongoing revenue,” said County Executive Officer Mona Miyasato.
This measure proposes to fund general local services such as:
- maintaining 911 emergency communications;
- gang prevention;
- repairing deteriorating bridges, potholes, roads, transportation infrastructure;
- protecting groundwater;
- addressing homelessness;
- and general county services/purposes.
If passed the ballot measure would provide approximately $3 million annually.
The Santa Barbara County Essential Community Services Measure ballot question reads: To fund local services such as: maintaining 911 emergency communications; gang prevention; repairing deteriorating bridges, potholes, roads, transportation infrastructure; protecting groundwater; addressing homelessness; and general county services/purposes, shall the ordinance increasing Santa Barbara County’s Transient Occupancy Tax (paid only by hotel/ short-term rental guests), in unincorporated areas (excluding cities), from 12% to 14%, providing approximately $3,000,000 annually until ended by voters; requiring public audits; all funds locally controlled, be adopted?
The County currently collects TOT from 24 hotels/motels/lodging and 520 short-term rentals in the unincorporated county area. The tax would continue to apply in the unincorporated county, not in cities.
If enacted by the voters, funds raised by the Measure would be spent in Santa Barbara County to maintain and support local County services and programs.
A recently completed survey of 653 Santa Barbara County voters found support for the ballot measure. According to FM3 Research, 59% voted yes in favor, 38% oppose and three percent are undecided. Notably, a third (34%) of Santa Barbara County voters say they would vote “definitely yes” to approve this measure if the election were held today whereas only one in four (25%) voted “definitely no.”
The survey results also find that voters prioritize 911 emergency response services, improving local roads and infrastructure, protecting groundwater supplies and addressing homelessness.
Additional information on the measure can be found on the County’s website at County of Santa Barbara – File #: 24-00759 (legistar.com)
Is the overall revenue from the TOT down, and if so, have they analyzed why? Have hotels been underbooked? Have they lowered their rates? With a percentage, the tax revenue should go up as hotel prices go up. It doesn’t seem right to keep raising the percentage. There are a lot of moving parts, and I don’t have enough information yet to make an informed decision. Clearly the county wants more money, and the idea here seems to be “make outsiders pay for the privilege visiting SB.” Well, better them than me. But what are the unintended consequences?
It has nothing to do with the occupancy rate or existing TOT revenues. It’s just an available source of income that taxpayers will support, because they’re not the ones paying it. It may be less true in the unincorporated areas than in the city, but by and large there won’t be any measurable unintended consequences – people don’t change their vacation plans over a 2% tax hike. With room rates already so high, it’s barely noticeable on the bill.
You have to be kidding me ? they can’t even add let alone do a budget and they want more money, they’re gonna have a rude awakening-They’re gonna have to start laying each other and their friends and family off
I’d like to think so too, but it’s ultimately up to voters in the long run if they like the idea of a change on course towards fiscal responsibility or the status quo blank check economics.
Raising the TOT is bad enough, but for unincorporated areas only, well that’s a big NO.
The supes’ jurisdiction is limited to unincorporated areas. The increase, from 12% to 14%, would make the tax charged in those areas 2% higher than in the city of SB.
Stop giving yourselves raises BOS
Enforce illegal short term rentals to make available long term rental
Increase in available homes will drive down purchase price of new home
Short term rentals have created housing shortage
Stop high density housing causing pollution, congestion, crime, health hazards, etc..
Stop creating problems
You are widening the 101 and narrowing local streets, don’t you see the problem …grid lock? Emergency evacuation dangers.
You are moving pollution from the 101 to peoples backyards
A wide range of federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice and Department of Health & Human Services, among others, offer financial assistance that may be applicable to 911 projects, including Next Generation 911 (NG911) and Enhanced 911.
.https://www.911.gov/projects/federal-funding/
The Bridge Investment Program (BIP) provides funding for bridge replacement, rehabilitation, preservation, and protection projects that reduce the number of bridges in poor condition, or in fair condition at risk of declining into poor condition.
https://www.transportation.gov/rural/grant-toolkit/bridge-investment-program
Biden-Harris Administration Opens Applications for Nearly $10 Billion in Funding to Improve Nation’s Bridges
https://highways.dot.gov/newsroom/biden-harris-administration-opens-applications-nearly-10-billion-funding-improve-nations
Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program
Program Overview
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) established the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over 5 years, 2022-2026. The SS4A program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. Over $3 billion is still available for future funding rounds.
https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SS4A
What does TOT have to do with raises for the BOS?
The “Downvoters” have spoken – they vote status quo: more taxes. No surprise. Tons of money to go around!
Just spin masters… Newton’s Third Law of Motion …for every action there is equal and opposite reaction.
So tax revenues from Hotels are down because of more vacancies, so raise the tax so they raise the room rates and even more vacancies? Makes perfect sense.