City of Norco Hotel Tax, Measure B (November 2009)
From Ballotpedia
A City of Norco Hotel Tax, Measure B ballot proposition was on the November 3, 2009 ballot in Riverside County for voters in the City of Norco, where it was approved.
- Yes: 1,479 (54.66%)
- No: 1,227 (45.34%)
Measure B raises the hotel tax in the City of Norco from 8% to 11%.[1]
The question on the ballot was, "Shall the Transient Occupancy Tax assessed by the City for persons occupying hotel/motel rooms in the City of Norco be increased from eight percent (8%) to eleven percent (11%)?"
In 2000, Norco's population was 24,157. Norco is known for its horse trails. In 2003, it became a charter city in order to protect the rights of residents to keep animals. The city charter is identical to California's general law provisions for cities with the exception of what the charter says about horse trails, allowable lot size and the rights of residents to keep animals on their property.
Supporters
- Mayor Pro Tem Malcolm Miller.
- Kevin Bash, a candidate for the Norco City Council, who said, "What's happening is we are beginning to find other ways for people to pay for our lifestyle, people outside of the community."[2]
- Richard Craig, a mortgage banker in Norco, who said that people who can afford to travel can generally afford to pay higher taxes.[2]
- The Press-Enterprise editorialized in favor of Measure B. In an editorial that urged a "yes" vote, they wrote, " The bed tax money goes to Norco's general fund, which pays for police, fire protection and other city services. The tax hike would cost Norco residents nothing, yet make the city less vulnerable to another sales tax slump. Measure B is a bargain for Norco taxpayers, and voters should approve it."[3],[4]
Opposition
- Harvey Sullivan, a candidate for the Norco City Council, opposed to the tax. He said that when businesses are struggling in a weak economy is not the right time to raise taxes. He heard from voters, "What in the world are we doing raising taxes in this economy? We're trying to get people to come to Norco and spend their money here but we're raising the hotel tax."[2]
- Sullivan also believed that if the city voted to make it more expensive for groups and individuals to stay in Norco's hotels, the city's hotels are likely to lose business to the hotels in neighboring areas that do not charge such a high tax.[2]
- Additionally, the argument was made that risking the financial health of Norco's hotels in a weak economy is not going to solve the city's financial problems.[2]
- Lope Patel, a Howard Johnson front desk manager, said that potential customers ask how much is charged for a room tax, and that a higher tax would hurt her business.[2]
See also
External links
References
- ↑ Press Enterprise, "Norco City Council candidates differ on how to generate revenue", September 24, 2009
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Press Enterprise, "Norco residents divided on hotel tax ballot measure", October 9, 2009
- ↑ Press Enterprise, "No on C, D", September 29, 2009
- ↑ Press Enterprise, "The P-E endorses", October 3, 2009
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