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Twentynine Palms council adopts 1.5% tourism assessment to fund destination marketing
Summary
The Twentynine Palms City Council adopted Resolution No. 25-20 confirming a 1.5% assessment for the city's Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID). The assessment, levied on lodging room rates, will fund marketing to attract visitors; the measure passed 5-0 after a public hearing.
The Twentynine Palms City Council on Sept. (date not specified) adopted Resolution No. 25-20, confirming a 1.5% assessment for the city's Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) to fund marketing and promotion of the city as a visitor destination. The motion passed on a 5-0 vote.
The TBID assessment is levied on hotel, motel, RV and vacation-rental nightly rates and is calculated on the base room rate. Staff explained that, for example, a $100 nightly rate would carry a $1.50 TBID assessment; that fee is separate from the city's transient occupancy tax, which funds city services such as roads and public safety.
The TBID is governed by a five-member advisory board appointed by the council and composed of local lodging owners and operators. City staff told the council the assessment proceeds can be spent only on tourism marketing to bring visitors to local businesses, restaurants and hotels.
During the public hearing some lodging stakeholders voiced concerns about the proposed marketing distribution and the value delivered to specific properties. Vinu Nathraj, a local hotel owner and stakeholder, criticized the marketing's current distribution and said he had seen limited benefit at some west-side properties: "If you brought the tourist to come stay at my hotel, trust me, I'd be willing to say, take that 1.5 to 5%. My properties are running today. I checked my properties at 40% or less occupancy. Where's the value you bring to me?" Carlos Blanton, a homeowner and member of the public, spoke in favor of the TBID as a way to attract investment and support the city's mission statement.
Following public comments the council moved to adopt the resolution. The council vote was recorded as: Councilwoman Ramirez ' Aye; Councilmember Wright ' Aye; Councilmember Scott ' Aye; Mayor Pro Tem Mintz ' Aye; Mayor Bilder ' Aye. The councilor who made the motion and the seconder were not specified in the public record excerpt.
City staff said the next steps include continued oversight by the TBID advisory board and annual reporting to the council, including a marketing plan and budget for the coming fiscal year.
Votes at a glance Resolution No. 25-20, confirming the levy of a 1.5% TBID assessment ' Adopted, 5-0.
Why it matters: The assessment directs new, dedicated lodging revenue toward marketing that the city and the TBID board say is intended to increase visitation and support local businesses. The TBID assessment differs from the city's transient occupancy tax, which funds general city services.
