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Smart Voter
San Mateo County, CA November 3, 2009 Election
Measure J
Transient Occupancy Tax
City of Millbrae
Majority Approval Required

Pass: 2,295 / 68.5% Yes votes ...... 1,056 / 31.5% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures
Results as of Dec 29 12:09pm, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (13/13)
27.8% Voter Turnout (77,340/277,759)
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments |

Shall the ordinance adopted by the City Council increasing the uniform transient occupancy tax from ten percent (10%) to twelve percent (12%) be approved?

Impartial Analysis from the City Attorney of Millbrae
The California Constitution, the Government Code, and the Revenue and Taxation code authorize the City of Millbrae to levy or increase a general tax in the form of a transient occupancy tax, better known as the "Hotel Tax", upon a majority vote of the Millbrae electorate. The City Council of the City of Millbrae has enacted Ordinance No. 725 to increase the existing Hotel Tax from 10% to 12% and has placed this measure on the ballot seeking the required voter approval to make the tax increase effective as of January 1, 2010.

The Hotel Tax is placed on the room rent charged to guests who stay in hotels, motels, inns, or similar lodgings in the City of Millbrae. The tax is collected by the operators of these lodging facilities as part of the room bills. The City estimates that the revenues from this 2% increase in the Hotel Tax will generate a minimum for $400,000 per year. These revenues are placed in the City's General Fund for general governmental purposes to support police, fire, public works, parks, recreation programs, the library facility and services, code enforcement, and the maintenance and improvement of City infrastructure and facilities.

A "Yes" vote on this Measure would approve the 2% increase in the Hotel Tax authorized by Millbrae City Council's Ordinance No. 725 to go into effect on January 1, 2010.

A "No" vote on this Measure would not allow the implementation of the 2% increase in the Hotel Tax and the Hotel Tax in Millbrae would remain at 10%.

  
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Arguments For Measure J Arguments Against Measure J
The Millbrae City Council enacted Ordinance No. 725 to increase the "Hotel Tax" from 10% to 12% to generate much needed new revenue for the City's General Fund without burdening Millbrae residents and businesses. To go into effect, this Hotel Tax increase requires majority approval by Millbrae electors.

We urge your "Yes" vote for these reasons:

  • The Hotel Tax is paid by guests who lodge in hotels and motels located in Millbrae. The Hotel Tax is not paid by Millbrae voters and residents unless such persons choose to rent rooms in these facilities.

  • The Hotel Tax is a significant revenue source in Millbrae's General Fund. Although the revenues generated by this tax are affected by general economic conditions, a 2% increase could produce approximately $400,000 for the General Fund.

  • Millbrae's General Fund is in dire need of revenue in order to maintain current levels of service for police, fire, streets, other important City infrastructure, parks, public facilities, recreation programs, and many other services that benefit Millbrae residents and businesses.

  • A 2% Hotel Tax increase will not place Millbrae hotels/motels at a competitive disadvantage because our neighboring cities (Burlingame, San Bruno, South San Francisco, San Mateo, and San Francisco) are all placing similar measures before their voters in this election.

  • The State legislature borrowed nearly $500,000 of property tax revenues from Millbrae's General Fund to balance its budget. Millbrae must enhance its General Fund with local funding sources, like the Hotel Tax, that the state cannot borrow or take away.

  • The Hotel Tax in the City of Millbrae has not been increased in over 18 years.

Join us. Vote YES on Measure J

/s/ Robert G. Gottschalk, Mayor, Millbrae City Council

/s/ Frank Barbaro, Business Executive

/s/ Paul Larson, Business Owner

/s/ Alma Massolo, Curator, Millbrae Museum

/s/ Randy Sahae, General Manager, Millbrae Community Television

None Submitted

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Created: December 29, 2009 12:09 PST
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