LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday gave the go-ahead for the formation of a tourism improvement district meant to bolster the county’s competitiveness as it seeks to bring in more visitors.
Rachael Taylor of the firm Civitas Advisors and Deputy County Administrative Officer Michelle Scully appeared before the board to discuss the district’s formation.
The county staff report explained that the Lake County Tourism Improvement District is a benefit assessment district meant to help fund marketing and sales promotion efforts for lodging businesses in Lake County, including the cities of Lakeport, and Clearlake.
A presentation was given to the Lakeport City Council earlier this month, as Lake County News has reported.
The district will collect a 3-percent assessment from accommodations businesses throughout the county, which will be a pass-through to customers. That’s in addition to the 10-percent transient occupancy tax paid by the same businesses.
It’s estimated that the 3-percent assessment will bring in $340,000 countywide.
The funds don’t belong to the government and instead will be held and managed by a nonprofit destination management organization that is now being formed.
Scully said county staff had asked the board in November to approve moving forward with Civitas Advisors. The firm is helping the county through an interesting and collaborative legal process with many steps.
“Today is one of the key steps in this process,” said Taylor, explaining that the board was considering the resolution of intention to form the district.
She said they were there to show evidence of support. In order to hold the hearing, they had gathered petitions signed by hoteliers and lodging owners from throughout the county in favor of the district’s formation. Those petitions were weighted on what the lodging owners would pay.
Taylor said they had 58.6 percent of hoteliers in support; they needed 50 percent plus one. “We know that there are a few others out there.”
She said that after the hearing, a notice would be mailed out from the county to every lodging owner that they have information for that would pay the assessment. Those businesses would then have 45 days to protest or support it.
There will then be a public meeting in July during which the board will hear support or opposition from business owners; Taylor said the board will take no action at that meeting.
The proposal will be taken to the two cities, which will have to grant consent. Taylor said the cities will consider their resolutions in July, and then, if approved, the final resolution of formation will go before the supervisors on Aug. 7.
Lisa Wilson, general manager of the Clear Lake Campground in Clearlake, said she signed a petition in support, adding that her campers will support the increase.
City Manager Greg Folsom also gave his support. He said he’s worked in other jurisdictions with tourism improvement districts. “They’re very important.”
He said Lake County is competing against other jurisdictions that have such districts. Folsom said the county needs to do a better job of attracting tourists.
Taylor said the district will create a stable funding source for marketing the county, and sets in place an organization that will represent the county for tourism at an “all-encompassing level.”
She said that during this process they have noticed a lack of connectivity and communication between businesses and the government jurisdictions. “This will kind of solve that problem as well.”
Supervisor Moke Simon, who also is chair of the Middletown Rancheria – which owns Twin Pine Casino – thanked everyone for bringing the proposal this far, noting he was excited about it.
The board unanimously adopted a resolution declaring intent to establish the Lake County Tourism Improvement District, and approved a second resolution requesting consent of the city councils of Lakeport and Clearlake to establish the district. Supervisor Rob Brown was absent for the vote.
“This is momentous as far as we’re concerned,” said Board Chair Jim Steele.
Also on Tuesday, Supervisor Brown presented a proclamation to Richard Schmidt appointing Schmidt as Lake County Poet Laureate for the years 2018-2020.
Simon also presented a proclamation recognizing the 50th anniversary of Hidden Valley Lake.
In other business, the board held a nuisance abatement hearing request regarding Toby Coleman’s property at 3905 Gaddy Lane in Kelseyville, with a request to bring it back at a future meeting.
The board also received a presentation from Lake County Environmental Health and Eric Rapport of the State Water Quality Control Board regarding the Lake County Local Agency Management Programs for onsite wastewater treatment systems, and considered Eastlake Sanitary Landfill solid waste disposal fees and amendment one to the franchise solid waste hauler contracts.
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Supervisors approve formation of tourism improvement district
- Elizabeth Larson
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