CC Resolution 2006-079RESOLUTION NO. 2006-079
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LA QUINTA., CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A ' BALLOT
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF THE TRANSIENT
OCCUPANCY TAX BALLOT MEASURE "J" (ORDINANCE
NO. 428) SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS AT THE
NOVEMBER 7, 2006 ELECTION AND AUTHORIZING AND
ORDERING THE FILING OF SUCH BALLOT ARGUMENT
WITH THE CITY CLERK
WHEREAS, on July 5, 2006, the City Council adopted Resolution
No. 2006-066, which submitted a ballot measure (Ordinance No, 428) to the
voters at the November 7, 2006 General Municipal Election for the purpose of
validating, re-enacting and approving the existing TOT rate and definition of group
hotels, as further provided in Ordinance No. 428; and
WHEREAS, as of the date of this Resolution, the Riverside County Registrar
of Voters has not yet assigned a ballot measure designation letter to the ballot
measure (Ordinance No. 428); and
WHEREAS, at the July 5, 2006 City Council meeting, the City Council also
approved City Council Resolution No. 2006-067, which establishes priorities for
filing written arguments In Favor and Against City measures, which priorities
consist of (in rank order of priority, item 1 being the highest priority): (1) the City
Council; (2) member(s) of the City Council, (3) a bona fide association of citizens,
and (4) individual voters eligible to vote on City measures; and
WHEREAS, Elections Code Section 9282 expressly permits the City Council
to file a written argument In Favor or Against the ballot measure '(Ordinance
No. 428) and
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 2006-067 authorized all members of the City
Council to file arguments In Favor or Against the ballot measure (Ordinance
No. 428); and
WHEREAS, a draft argument In Favor of the ballot measure (Ordinance
No. 428) has been prepared and is attached hereto as Exhibit A; and
Resolution No. 2006-079
TOT/ Argument in Favor
Adopted: July 18, 2006
Page 2
WHEREAS, the. City Council now desires to order the filing of an argument In
Favor of the ballot measure (Ordinance No. 428) in the form and content of
Exhibit A.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of La
Quinta, California, as follows:
SECTION 1: The City Council approves of the argument In Favor of the
ballot measure (Ordinance No. 428) attached hereto as Exhibit A and authorizes
and orders that it be filed with the City Clerk along with the completed "Statement
by Proponents/Authors'. of Arguments" described in Section 2.
SECTION 2: Immediately following adoption of this Resolution the members
of the City Council shall affix their ,name, signature, address, phone number and
title to the "Statement by Proponents/Authors of Arguments attached hereto as
Exhibit B.
SECTION 3: The filing of rebuttal arguments, if any, shall be completed in
the manner prescribed by Elections Code Section 9285 and City Council Resolution
No. 2006-067.
SECTION 4: The City Clerk is hereby instructed to insert the ballot measure
designation (i.e., the lettered designation provided by the Riverside County
Registrar of Voters) immediately upon the County Registrar assigning such a ballot
measure designation for the ballot measure (Ordinance No. 428).
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the La Quinta
City Council held on this 18th day of July, 2006, by the following vote to wit:
AYES: Council Members Henderson, Kirk, Osborne, Sniff, Mayor Adolph
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
( W 4L
DON ADO)LPH,4Aayor
City of La Quinta, California
Resolution No. 2006-079
TOT/ Argument in Favor
Adopted: July 18, 2006
Page 3
ATTEST:
JUWE S. GREEK, MMC,--64 Clerk
City of La Quinta, California
(City Seal)
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
KA ERINE JENS , City Attorney
City of La Quinta, California
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE J
Two points must be clear:
Hotel taxes are not paid by La Quinta residents.
This Measure does not impose new or increased taxes.
But this measure is extremely important to La Quinta's future. That is why we urge you
to VOTE YES on this measure.
Almost no property taxes paid by La Quinta residents go to La Quinta. Rather, the State takes
most of the City's property taxes, leaving La Quinta to pay bills with "Bed Taxes" and sales
taxes. "Bed Taxes" are technically called Transient Occupancy Taxes ("TOT").
Currently, a 1992 City Ordinance imposes an 11 % Bed Tax on guests staying in group hotels
(larger hotels with meeting space) and 10% for all other hotels. Compare our rate to Palm
Springs, which imposes an 11.5% Bed Tax. Our lower tax rate encourages use of our hotels over
cities with higher Bed Taxes..
Because of a recent court decision, requiring voter approval for certain taxes, La Quinta could
have to revert to a lower Bed Tax, unless this Measure is passed. The resulting 1 or 2%
difference is money that La Quinta badly needs to provide the existing high quality of services its
residents deserve. Some of this Bed Tax money is used to attract tourism to La Quinta, which
accordingly increases City resources because these guests pay the Bed Tax.
Your "Yes" vote will ensure our City can adequately fund City services that we all use.
Since 1992, all hotel users have paid a 10% or I I% Bed Tax depending on whether they are
staying in hotels or group hotels. They expect it.
Nothing changes if we pass this Measure. Taxes are not raised. But if it fails, La Quinta could
lose existing resources. If it fails, how do we recoup these needed resources?
VOTE YES ON MEASURE J.
Don Adolph
Council member
Terry Henderson
Council member
Thamar. Kirk
, Council member
Lee M. Osborne
Council member
Stanley Sniff
Council member
Resolution No. 2006-
Adopted: July 18, 2006
Page 5
Exhibit B
Statement by Proponents/Authors of Arguments
Statement by Proponents/Authors of Arguments
(Section 9600 of the Elections Code requires that all arguments concerning measures shall be
accompanied by the following form statement, to be signed by each proponent and by each
author, if different, of the argument.)
The undersigned proponent(s) or author(s) of the Primary argument In Favor of ballot measure
J (ballot measure for Ordinance 428, insert letter once assigned by the County
Registrar of Voters) at the General Municipal Election for the City of La Quinta to be held on
November 7.2006 hereby state that such argument is true and correct to the best of their
knowledge and belief.
PROPONENT/S AUTHOR/S NAME: SIGNATURE:
1. Contact Person/Chief Proponent
Don Adolph
Printed Name'SignatureDate
78-405 Calle Tampico (760) 777-7000 Mayor
Address Phone Title (Optional)
2.
Printed Name
Signature
Date
Address
Phone
Title (Optional)
3.
Printed Name
Signature
Date
Address
Phone
Title (Optional)
4.
Printed Name
Signature
Date
Address
Phone
Title (Optional)
5.
Printed Name
Address
Phone
Signature
(Optional)
Date