The tax on hotel rooms in San...

The tax on hotel rooms in San Diego County’s unincorporated area will be increased to 8% from 6% under a measure adopted Tuesday by the Board of Supervisors. The increase, to take effect in March, was proposed by Supervisor George Bailey, who argued that the county is less able to compete for tourist dollars because its tax is below that of other areas. A county staff survey of other California jurisdictions found that only two other counties have room tax rates below 8% and that three have rates of 10%. The money is used to promote tourism and to subsidize public and private programs that are seen as attracting or benefiting visitors. The tax was last raised 12 years ago, from 5% to 6%.