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Plymouth Prepares for Transient Occupancy Tax Hike |
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Monday, 14 September 2009 |
 Plymouth – The Plymouth City Council last week discussed raising its Transient Occupancy Tax from 6 percent to anywhere from 10 percent to 12 percent, then directed staff to discuss possible changes with business owners. City Manager Dixon Flynn recommended a 12 percent rate, but the council consensus was to make the new TOT tax rate 10 percent. The council gave Flynn direction to Flynn to meet with city commercial owners that would be affected by an increase and start preparation for the proposed change. Chuck Hayes, owner of 49er Village said in public comment that it reminded him of the old adage: “The best prediction of future performance is past behavior.” Hayes told the council the he is “thrilled to hear Plymouth is talking about tourism as a viable income source for the community.” He said Amador County does not collect a TOT tax at any of the RV parks around the county that are in unincorporated areas. He said there are 6 RV parks in the county, though some are on private land owned by the East Bay Municipal Utility District. Councilman Mike O’Meara said he thought they should “start a separate fund for TOT before they even talk about an increase.” Plymouth had a 2008 revenue of $81,800 with its 6 percent TOT tax. Jackson, Ione and Sutter Creek all have 10 percent TOT tax rates. Last year county municipality TOT revenue were $293,000 in Jackson; $172,000 in Sutter Creek; and $4,600 in Ione. Unincorporated revenues, at the county’s 6 percent rate, were $98,000 last year. City Clerk Gloria Stoddard said the city’s annual TOT revenue usually runs around $70,000. Flynn said the tax is paid by visitors to the community and the revenues are used for the benefit of the residents” in “promotion of tourism, parks, signage, landscaping, street cleaning, advertising and recreational activities.” Finance Director Jeff Gardner said Sutter Creek spent $25,000 of its TOT funds last year on city promotions, and $5,000 on beautification. A change of the TOT rate must be enacted by a 2/3rd majority vote of Plymouth residents. Registrar of Voters Sheldon Johnson in an August 17th letter to Plymouth and other cities said January 28th, 2010 was the last day to place a measure on the ballot for the June 8th, 2010 primary election. (end) am Story by Jim Reece.
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