AGOURA HILLS : Bed Tax May Rise to Reduce Deficit

Local officials are considering increasing the city’s hotel bed tax from 8% to 10% as part of a plan to address an anticipated $700,000 budget shortfall.

The proposed increase, which would raise an additional $50,000 per year, was one of several deficit-cutting measures outlined in the city’s $5.6-million budget for fiscal 1994-95, which was approved in July.

The City Council will hold two public hearings on the proposed bed tax hike, at 7 p.m. Wednesday and on Sept. 28. Both will be at City Hall.

Several nearby communities already charge a 10% bed tax, including Ventura, Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village, City Manager Terry Matz said.

Matz said Agoura Hills’ tax would be less than the 12% tax levied by Calabasas, Malibu, Santa Monica and Los Angeles County, as well as the 14% levied by the city of Los Angeles.

Bernice Clark, director of sales and marketing for Radisson Hotel Agoura Hills, said the hotel--the only one in the city--is worried about the economic impact.

A 2% increase in the tax is “not a lot, but for the corporations in the area with which we deal, a 2% increase could put a great deal of burden on them,” she said. “And anything that affects the local corporations affects the hotel.”

She said hotel officials will attend the hearings to express their concern.

Matz said he has met with Anthony David, Radisson’s general manager, to talk about the proposed increase.

“Of course, the City Council will consider Mr. David’s concerns very carefully before they make any decisions,” Matz said.

Another deficit-cutting measure, a 4% utility tax, has set off a storm of controversy and a move to recall the entire City Council.