Our summary
Opposes a restaurant tax; favors peak parking rates, stronger collection and enforcement, appropriate user fees and review of hotel-tax structures, tied to measurable visitor costs.
“No. A special restaurant tax would also be paid by residents and would weaken local businesses.”
Opening excerpt · written response. Full answer below.
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“No. A special restaurant tax would also be paid by residents and would weaken local businesses. Visitors should contribute more directly through tools tied to visitor demand and cost. I support data-based peak parking rates in the highest-demand areas, stronger collection and enforcement, appropriate event and user fees, and a review of hotel tax and assessment structures. Any additional revenue should be dedicated and reported publicly for beach maintenance, restrooms, traffic management, transit and public safety. The City should first combine current parking, traffic, lodging and visitor data so the charge is connected to a measurable cost.”
Written response · answer only
Declined · intentionally keeping a low profile.
Our summary
Opposes a restaurant tax; would first examine TOT, parking revenue, enforcement and the effectiveness of current tourism-related spending.
“No. I do not support placing a special additional tax on restaurants. Our local restaurants already face high operating costs, and I do not think the city should make it harder to run a local business to address visitor impacts.”
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“No. I do not support placing a special additional tax on restaurants. Our local restaurants already face high operating costs, and I do not think the city should make it harder to run a local business to address visitor impacts. This is the wrong approach.
If additional visitor-generated revenue is needed, I would first look at sources more directly tied to visitors, including TOT, parking revenue, and increased enforcement. I would also look at whether existing tourism-related revenues are being spent as effectively as possible before asking anyone to pay more.
Visitors should contribute a greater share of the costs they generate, particularly for beach management, sanitation, public safety, parking, transportation, and infrastructure. The goal should be to connect the revenue source as closely as possible to the people creating the demand, rather than placing another broad burden on local businesses and residents.”
Written response · answer only
Our summary
Opposes a restaurant tax; favors reviewing visitor-area parking rates, enforcement and locations, plus possible transferable guest permits for affected households.
“I oppose a special tax on restaurants. They serve residents throughout the year and should not bear the City’s visitor costs alone.”
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“I oppose a special tax on restaurants. They serve residents throughout the year and should not bear the City’s visitor costs alone. I would review parking meter rates, enforcement, and locations, particularly in heavily visited beach areas, so visitors contribute more directly. I would also explore two transferable guest parking permits for each eligible household in affected residential areas, subject to a workable program and protection against misuse. The City should publish an estimate of tourism-related public costs and show how much additional parking revenue these changes could reasonably produce.”
Written response · answer only
Our summary
Opposes burdening struggling small businesses and favors summer surge pricing at parking meters.
“All small businesses are struggling today with technology taking away the lions share of revenue and we cannot impact these small operations.”
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“All small businesses are struggling today with technology taking away the lions share of revenue and we cannot impact these small operations. The best direct offset to day visitors is via our parking with surge meters during the summer months.”
Written response · answer only
No written response received.
