Ben Hensley<\/a><\/p>\nFresno County voters will decide in November whether to approve a 12% transient occupancy tax on hotels, campgrounds, RV parks and short-term rentals in the county\u2019s unincorporated areas after the Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Tuesday to place the measure on the ballot.<\/p>\n
If approved by voters, Measure A is expected to generate about $4.5 million annually to support county services, including public safety, wildfire and disaster response, 911 operations, road maintenance, behavioral and public health programs, water infrastructure, parks and other public services, according to County Budget Director Paige Benavides.<\/p>\n
Benavides said the transient occupancy tax, or TOT, is paid by visitors staying in lodging accommodations for 30 days or fewer. The tax does not apply to county residents in their primary or long-term residences.<\/p>\n
She said the board previously adopted the ordinance establishing the 12% tax, outlining collection requirements, penalties for nonpayment and enforcement by the tax collector if voters approve the measure.<\/p>\n
Tuesday\u2019s action calls for a countywide special election, consolidated with the Nov. 3 statewide general election, to allow voters to decide whether the tax should take effect in the county\u2019s unincorporated areas.<\/p>\n
The resolution also authorizes board members to prepare ballot arguments, directs County Counsel to prepare an impartial analysis of the measure and instructs the Auditor-Controller\/Treasurer-Tax Collector to prepare a fiscal impact statement.<\/p>\n
Supervisor Nathan Magsig said many of the county\u2019s short-term rentals are located in District 5 and that increased tourism has placed additional demands on emergency services in mountain communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it would be prudent that a portion of those funds be used to help with public safety services in the mountain area,\u201d Magsig said. \u201cI do believe that, where these dollars are being generated, a portion of that should stay in those areas where the dollars are being generated because tourism is having an impact on our services.\u201d<\/p>\n
County Administrative Officer Paul Nerland said the proposal came after multiple groups questioned why Fresno County had not adopted a TOT, specifically naming Visit Fresno County \u2014 the county\u2019s tourism marketing division \u2014 as one of the groups to question the lack of the tax.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re the only county in the state that has rentals that\u2019s not doing it,\u201d Nerland said.<\/p>\n
Chairman Garry Bredefeld said the measure would ensure visitors help cover the cost of county services they use while visiting Fresno County.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re providing services without being reimbursed by the people who are utilizing those services,\u201d Bredefeld said. \u201cIt is very clear that our residents aren\u2019t going to be paying this tax \u2014 this is about people who come and visit.\u201d<\/p>\n
The board approved the resolution on a 5-0 vote after receiving no public comment.<\/p>\n
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