Yes vote on Measure TOT will bring RPV in line with peers

Residents of Rancho Palos Verdes will have the opportunity to bring their city's transient occupancy tax to the level of many of its peer cities when they go to the polls Nov.

[M Richards]

Mr. Stern makes correct points. Bob Lowe, the developer of Terranea has not objected to increasing the TOT.

The group opposing the measure is comprised of a group of very conservative individuals who wish they could call the shots in our city's government.

Somebody has to pay for some of the infrastructure services provided to guests at Terranea and Value Inn, why should it be only Rancho Palos Verdes residents?

a 2% increase to the TOT will add only $6.00 to a $300.00 per night room at Terranea. I think folks who can book a room at Terranea won't miss the $6.00 but it will help pay for infrastructure and other services they demand when they visit Terranea.

Vote Yes on Measure TOT.

[slug]

M Richards wrote:

Mr. Stern makes correct points. Bob Lowe, the developer of Terranea has not objected to increasing the TOT.
The group opposing the measure is comprised of a group of very conservative individuals who wish they could call the shots in our city's government.
Somebody has to pay for some of the infrastructure services provided to guests at Terranea and Value Inn, why should it be only Rancho Palos Verdes residents?
a 2% increase to the TOT will add only $6.00 to a $300.00 per night room at Terranea. I think folks who can book a room at Terranea won't miss the $6.00 but it will help pay for infrastructure and other services they demand when they visit Terranea.
Vote Yes on Measure TOT.

The actual figure argument (only $6) is a weak one when up against the other argument that $6 incremental increases are easy to reopen every time spending fails to stay inline with revenue. When that happens, there is a tipping point where revenue begins to fall because the rate is so high (plenty of historical examples of that). The recurring increases, if they occur, will mean at some point in the future candidates for political office will have to run on the mantra of "No new taxes." Independent of that logic no one is saying the current comparison to higher rates in the other cities has anything to do with lower occupancy rates tied to an occupancy tax rate. So, since the voters get to choose a rate increase that won't directly cost them, have at it.