West Sacramento council approves start of tourism marketing district; schedules Nov. 5 public meeting and Dec. 3 hearing

The West Sacramento City Council on Oct. 15 adopted Resolution 25-107 declaring its intent to form the West Sacramento Tourism Marketing District and set a public meeting for Nov. 5 and a public hearing for Dec. 3 to consider final formation and assessments.

The district — proposed and presented by Economic Development Manager Megan Stiles — would assess hotels with 50 or more rooms for stays under 30 consecutive days. The management plan calls for a minimum 2% assessment (hoteliers may vote to raise it up to 4% later), an initial five‑year term, and an estimated conservative revenue of roughly $400,000 per year based on recent transient occupancy tax (TOT) collections. Stiles told the council the funds would be restricted to marketing, sales and destination development and could not be diverted for other city uses.

“We are asking for consideration of adoption of Resolution 25-107, which declares the city’s intention to establish the West Sacramento Tourism Marketing District,” Megan Stiles said during her presentation.

Why it matters: the district is intended to give local hoteliers a stable, dedicated funding stream to market West Sacramento as a destination and to coordinate sales and promotional efforts across hotels and entertainment businesses. Council members said the district would let hotel operators tailor marketing for West Sacramento rather than relying solely on regional efforts.

Key details from staff presentation - Assessment rate: minimum 2% of the room rate (initial); the management plan allows the owners board to increase the rate up to 4% but not below 2%. - Estimated revenue: roughly $400,000+ annually using a 2% model and recent TOT collections (based on the most recent reported quarter of 2024). - Eligible properties: hotels with 50 or more rooms; seven properties were identified as proposed assessed hotels (Hampton Inn & Suites; SpringHill Suites by Marriott; Home2 Suites by Hilton; Holiday Inn Express; Extended Stay America; Motel 6; Granada Inn). Granada Inn has 50+ rooms but does not report or pay TOT and would be a non‑voting participant under the plan. - Budget model proposed by hoteliers: 5% contingency; 10% administration (which includes up to a 2% fee to the city for collection costs and staff time); 85% for sales, marketing and destination development. - Governance: the hoteliers would form a nonprofit owners association to manage the funds and programs; the city would have a seat on that board and the nonprofit would report annually to the Council and the Economic Development & Housing Commission. - Formation timeline: official noticing to assessed hotels to follow; public meeting (for testimony) on Nov. 5 at 7 p.m.; final public hearing and council action on Dec. 3; proposed district launch Jan. 1 with first remittance after the first quarter in April.

Support and petitioning Stiles said lodging owners representing more than 50% of the TOT from the proposed assessed hotels submitted favorable petitions supporting formation. She reported yes petitions from SpringHill Suites, Hampton Inn and Home2 Suites that together represent about 66% of the assessed TOT; Holiday Inn Express provided a verbal confirmation but had not submitted a petition by the Oct. 15 meeting.

Council action and vote Council member Early moved and Mayor Pro Tem Solpizio Hall seconded adoption of Resolution 25-107 (declaration of intention). The clerk called the roll; Council member Alcala, Council member Early, Council member Orozco, Mayor Pro Tem Solpizio Hall and Mayor Guerrero voted aye. The motion passed unanimously (5–0).

What remains unresolved - Final participation: a small number of hotels had not returned signed petitions by Oct. 15; staff said formal noticing and additional outreach will continue. - Detailed program plan: the owners association will produce a strategic plan and annual budget; the council and commission will receive annual reports.

Next steps The council set a public meeting for Nov. 5 (to receive testimony) and a final hearing and council action on Dec. 3. Staff said it is exploring consultant support to form the nonprofit owners association and draft bylaws before the district launches.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 25-107: motion to declare intent to establish the West Sacramento Tourism Marketing District and to schedule subsequent public meeting (Nov. 5) and final hearing (Dec. 3). Moved by Council member Early; seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Solpizio Hall. Vote: 5–0 (Alcala, Early, Orozco, Mayor Pro Tem Solpizio Hall, Mayor Guerrero). Outcome: approved.

Sources and provenance This article is based on the Oct. 15 City Council meeting presentation and subsequent council discussion and roll call (agenda item 8).