COSTA MESA
The City Council has put a measure on the November ballot that would increase the city’s hotel tax to help pay for new parks and open space acquisitions.
The council voted 4 to 1 last week to let the voters decide on the proposed increase, which would be no higher than 2% and paid by overnight hotel customers.
The measure would require approval of two-thirds of the city’s voters to pass. The tax would require only a simple majority if it were not tied to a specific program.
Councilman Joe Erickson said the money would specifically enable the city to buy surplus Newport-Mesa Unified School District land, such as Balearic Park.
Mayor Gary Monahan, who cast the only dissenting vote, said he didn’t think it would be right to require nonresidents to fund parks primarily used by residents.
But the city’s “bed tax,” which is added to a guest’s hotel bill, would remain one of the lowest in the county--even with the 2% increase.
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