Please join me in voting no on Madera County ballot issue D. This 2 percent increase in transient occupancy tax (T.O.T.) comes at the wrong time for Madera County. Our hospitality industry is currently trying to create a business improvement district (B.I.D.), which would vastly improve tourism promotions and increase overnight stays in Madera County. The B.I.D. requires a 1-2 percent commitment from our hotels, which they can only afford if the T.O.T. is not increased.

After researching this issue at length, I truly believe that the B.I.D. will bring far more revenue to Madera’s businesses and government than an increase in T.O.T. ever could. In fact, a successful B.I.D. would make the County’s total T.O.T. collections increase anyway, because total number of overnights visits in Madera County would substantially increase. Please make the right choice for business in Madera County and join me in voting no on D.

KC Pomering,
Madera

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