San Bernardino County wants residents to be informed before they head to the polls on Nov. 5 to decide on Measure K, which would create an estimated $9.4 million in additional annual funding for infrastructure, public safety, reductions in homelessness and other services by increasing the transient occupancy tax, or TOT. That’s why the county has created a website, https://main.sbcounty.gov/tot/, to explain the TOT and what it supports.
The TOT, also known as a bed tax – is a charge added to hotel and short-term rental bills in many if not most counties and cities in the U.S. The revenue helps pay for the impact tourists have on roads, public safety and other local services that would otherwise be borne solely by residents.
Those who stay in unincorporated parts of San Bernardino County pay less than half in TOT than what they would be charged in Santa Monica, Inglewood and other popular destinations. Measure K would increase the TOT from 7 to 11 percent in the unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County.
The county’s TOT website explains in detail what the TOT is, how San Bernardino County’s rate compares to those of other jurisdictions, how it’s audited, and most importantly how its funding may be used in San Bernardino County, such as:
- Repairing and maintaining local streets, roads and sidewalks
- Keeping public parks and buildings safe and clean
- Addressing homelessness
- Providing wildfire prevention and improving paramedic and 911 emergency response times
The site also provides residents with a place to share comments and questions.
Additional County Update News – August 15, 2024
- County health officer announces retirement
- Museum unveils STEAM Lab with ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house
- Registrar working with city clerks to cope with error
- County right-sizes use of videoconferencing sites
- Transient Occupancy Tax website unveiled
- Oriental fruit fly quarantine lifted in Redlands area
- County hosts successful street vending workshops
- Building Stronger Communities Together: National Night Out 2024
- Code Enforcement prevents potential disaster at unpermitted site
- Public Health hosts event celebrating National Breastfeeding Month
- Probation champions community safety and youth empowerment
- Plan for southbound 71 weekend full closure this weekend
- Museums offer new online system to schedule field trips
- Calling all artists for the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month art exhibit
- Wellness Works Here: Start Your Journey
- Register for this year’s State of the County
- Clear the Shelters continues with low-cost adoptions Aug 10 – Sept. 10
- San Bernardino County destinations
- San Bernardino County history
- Things to Do
- Pet of the Week