Comment sought on hospitality tax

  The Yuma City Council is issuing a call to the public to attend Wednesday night's meeting and share their thoughts on the 2 percent hospitality tax that is due to sunset in June if voters don't approval renewing it.

  As part of the meeting, to be held at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers at Yuma City Hall, One City Plaza, a public hearing will be held on the tax and the draft of a proposal to take the measure to city voters in May.

  "We really want to hear from the people," said Mayor Larry Nelson. "The council is very interested in hearing what interests the public in regards to recreational facilities."

  The special tax is levied on restaurants, hotels and bars. It provides revenue to develop and support the city's parks and recreation facilities, develop recreation along the riverfront and promote tourism.

   In fiscal year 2008-09, the tax is expected to bring in an estimated $4.9 million.

  "It provides not only capital for new projects, but also operational revenue for the city's facilities," Nelson said. "People use these facilities. We need to pay for them somehow. They don't come free."

  That's whether the bridge club that meets at the Yuma Civic Center, the kids playing soccer, the adults who play baseball or those who enjoy the Main Street events.

  The council is proposing some minor changes to the existing language. One change would extend the support of the tax beyond the city's baseball-recreation complex to include all parks and recreational facilities in the city. That might mean a new park near the Gila Ridge High School, badly needed new soccer fields or another public swimming pool.

  Another change to the language would expand the downtown area to include the entire Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area.

  Yet another question is how long to renew the tax. Going to at least 20 years is needed for the city to get bonds for capital projects, Nelson said.

  But before finalizing the language and deciding whether to hold the election, the council wants public input, Nelson stressed, encouraging people to attend tonight's meeting and speak up during the public hearing.

  If they want to comment on the proposal to hold the election as an all-mail-in ballot with no polls, they may do so during the call to the public.

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HOSPITALITY TAX, IN BRIEF

  • A hospitality tax levied on restaurants, hotels and bars provides revenue for Yuma parks and recreation facilities, the riverfront and tourism.
  • In fiscal year 2008-09, the 2 percent hospitality tax is expected to bring in an estimated $4.9 million
  • The current hospitality tax is due to sunset in June of 2009 unless voters choose to renew it.

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Joyce Lobeck can be reached at jlobeck@yumasun.com or 539-6853.