City of Menlo Park – Transient Occupancy Tax Measure
Ballot Question
To maintain critical City services, such as street/pothole repair; park/recreation programs; enhance emergency preparedness for storms, flooding, wildfires; police 911 emergency response/preparedness; storm drain maintenance; and for general government use; shall the City of Menlo Park measure be adopted raising the transient occupancy (hotel) tax from 12 percent to 15.5 percent, paid only by hotel/lodging guests until ended by voters, providing an estimated $3,600,000 annually, that cannot be taken by Sacramento, including citizen oversight?
Type of Measure
Tax Measure
Explanation
This measure would change the Transient Occupancy Tax from 12% to 15.5% in phased steps: on Jan 1, 2025, it would increase to 14%, and on Jan 1, 2026, it would rise to 15.5%.
The Transient Occupancy Tax, or ‘hotel tax,’ is imposed on people who stay in the city for less than 30 consecutive days.
The tax is classified as a ‘general tax,’ and the funds could be used for municipal government purposes.
Voting YES supports the transient occupancy tax being increased
Voting NO opposes the transient occupancy tax being increased
50%+1 voter approval is needed to pass this tax measure
Arguments in Favor
This measure will help maintain Menlo Park’s essential local services and quality of life without taxing residents. All funds will be used locally.
Measure CC continues the city’s high fiscal transparency standards by requiring independent audits and annual reporting to ensure funds are spent responsibly.
Support
Jacqui Cebrian, Katie Ferrick, Brian Kissel, Clem Molony, Maya Sewald
Arguments Against
Currently none
Opposition
Currently none
