Supporter: Hospitality tax a good way to pay for parks, recreation

Artist George Tomkins doesn't consider himself a political person.
 
"I just make pots," he said.
  
But he's found a cause he said he believes is worth fighting for.
  
Tomkins has stepped into the public arena as the spokesman for Our Community In Support of Prop 100, the political action committee formed to campaign for voter approval of a measure that would extend the city of Yuma's 2 percent hospitality tax.
 
Proposition 100 will go before city voters during a special election May 19. Early ballots will start going out in the mail Thursday.
 
The ballot measure asks voters to extend the special tax for 15 years. If the measure fails, the tax will sunset on June 30.
 
Initially approved by voters in 1973 and renewed in 1993, the 2 percent "use tax" is collected at restaurants, hotels and bars within the city limits.
 
Last fiscal year, it raised $4.5 million, which was used to support the Yuma Civic Center and Ray Kroc Baseball Complex, pay off the clubhouse for the Desert Hills Municipal Golf Course, help fund Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area activities and promote tourism.
 
As presented to voters, Proposition 100 not only would extend the tax but also amend the city charter governing its use to include new parks and recreational facilities citywide. Among the proposed projects are finishing the West Wetlands, participating in a new joint-use recreational complex near Arizona Western College and developing new regional parks on both the east and west sides of the city.
 
"Yuma has been enriched by the tax," Tomkins said. "Going forward, the tax can do even more. Most people I've talked to agree we need a community that cares about itself. The tax is a good way to pay for that."
 
The tax already has provided various facilities that benefit the community, he said. For example, the baseball complex serves as a venue for a number of activities and events that attract thousands of people to Yuma and are enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
 
"I sure like the Gateway Park," he continued. "A lot of others do, too. Go there on a warm day and it is packed. It's something the residents enjoy and it was paid for mainly by visitors paying the tax."
 
Future revenue "can do even more good from dance to arts and sports facilities," he said. "If kids aren't playing organized soccer someplace, they're in an alley with spray paint."
 
That's why Tomkins said he likes the idea of expanding the use of the revenue.
 
"It will be for parks all over town. It will be distributed citywide so it will benefit residents all over town. It's far more flexible where the projects go as the city grows."
 
He also likes the idea that the renewal would be for 15 years rather than a longer time. "It needs to come up for review and discussion so voters get to say if we keep it. It doesn't just sit there."
 
He noted that by far the largest portion of the hospitality tax is paid by visitors, either tourists or people working temporarily in Yuma. "A large chunk is paid by outsiders."
 
Tomkins said the political action committee formed a few weeks ago and members represent a diverse population. The group's main project so far was production of a video that shows what the tax has paid for in the past and where future revenue would go if the tax is renewed.
 
The committee is now looking for places to show the video and talk about the hospitality tax, he said, "any group of seven or more."
 
For more information about a presentation, call Tomkins at 782-1934.
 
The committee also is still looking for members and donations. Send donations to Our Community in Support of Prop 100, 90 W. 2nd St., Yuma, AZ 85364.

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