Measure L: L – City of Placentia, Placentia Hotel Tax Measure

In plain language

Measure L would raise Placentia's hotel tax from 10% to 14%. Hotel guests who stay 30 days or less pay this tax. It also covers short-term rentals of homes or rooms. The money goes into the city's general fund. It can be used for any city purpose, such as police, fire, 911 response and road repairs. The city's Citizens' Oversight Committee would review how this money is spent and report each year. The city would also keep its yearly independent audits. A YES vote raises the hotel tax to 14%. A NO vote keeps it at 10%. The measure needs a majority vote.

Fiscal impact

Raises the hotel tax rate from 10% to 14%, bringing in about $715,000 a year until ended by voters.

Impartial analysis

City of Placentia Measure L The City of Placentia currently imposes a 10% transient occupancy tax on transients (hotel guests) who occupy a hotel room for 30 consecutive days or less. This tax is commonly referred to as the City’s “Hotel Tax. ” It is collected by the hotel operator (or their agent) from the guest based on the “rent” charged for lodging. The hotel operator then remits the collected tax to the City. For purposes of the Hotel Tax, “hotel” is broadly defined to include “any structure, or any portion of any structure, which is occupied or intended or designed for occupancy by transients for dwelling, lodging or sleeping purposes. ” Thus, short-term rentals of homes or of rooms in homes would be subject to the tax. Proceeds of the Hotel Tax are deposited in the general fund and available for any lawful municipal purpose. Examples of services funded through the general fund include neighborhood police patrols, fire protection, 911 response, and road repairs. The City’s accounts, including the general fund, are audited annually by an independent auditor. Measure L seeks voter approval of an ordinance that increases the rate of the Hotel Tax to 14%. The ordinance requires that, in addition to independent annual audits of tax proceeds and expenditures, the City’s existing Citizens’ Oversight Committee review expenditures of funds generated by the Hotel Tax and prepare an annual report of such expenditures. The measure was placed on the ballot by the City Council of the City of Placentia. To be adopted, this measure requires the approval of a majority of the voters casting ballots. A YES vote approves the ordinance increasing the rate of the Hotel Tax to 14%. A NO vote rejects the ordinance, and would leave the Hotel Tax at 10%. The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure L . If you desire a copy of the measure, please call the elections official’s office at [phone number omitted] and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you. /s/ Christian Bettenhausen, City Attorney

Official ballot arguments

Filed for the official voter guide by each side, printed as submitted.

The official arguments will appear here once both sides’ arguments are on file.