Dear Editor:
I’m writing to express my support for the proposed County lodging tax increase because it represents a fair and practical way to address the challenges created by our growing tourist economy while investing in the services our local community depends on every day.
Importantly, the tax will be paid almost entirely by tourists—not by the people who live and work here year-round. These visitors are an important part of our economy but also contribute to the wear and tear on our roads and increase demand on public safety and other government services. It makes sense that those who are visiting and using these services should help contribute to the rising cost of maintaining and funding them.
The proposed revenues would be directed toward three areas important to our community: improving County roads, strengthening public safety and emergency dispatch, and supporting childcare programs for our local workforce. These are needed investments in the basic infrastructure and services that allow our community to function—and that support both residents and the businesses that depend on good roads, public safety response, and a reliable local workforce.
And noteworthy, these funding priorities did not come out of a vacuum. County officials identified these areas after numerous community forums and public input. Residents shared their concerns and priorities, and these spending areas emerged from that local conversation.
Voters should be confident that the revenues generated by the lodging tax are being directed toward needs that our community itself identified as important.
The more visitors use our roads and public services, the more important the need to implement a sustainable way to help pay for the additional demands placed on our community. This lodging tax allows us to do that without putting an additional funding burden on local families and year-round residents.
I encourage our community to support the lodging tax increase by voting yes on 1A.
Sincerely,
Longinos Gonzalez
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