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Board directs staff to prepare resolution for November ballot to raise transient occupancy tax
Summary
The board gave staff direction to draft a resolution placing a general-purpose increase to the county transient occupancy tax from 9% to 11% on the November ballot, estimating an additional $1.78 million in annual revenue and noting tight July translation and logistics deadlines for the clerk-recorder.
The Board of Supervisors directed staff to prepare a ballot measure resolution that would ask Madera County voters in November to increase the general-purpose transient occupancy tax (TOT) from 9% to 11%, staff said. County Administrative Office staff estimated the proposal would generate approximately $1.78 million in additional annual general-purpose revenue, and recommended an effective date of Jan. 1, 2027 if voters approve the measure.
Joel Bugay, County Administrative Officer, framed the recommendation as an alignment with neighboring Mariposa County’s total lodging tax and to help fund county general-purpose needs (staff noted 71% of general-purpose revenue currently goes to public safety). Supervisors discussed tourism impacts in eastern Madera County, emergency services costs driven by tourism and the need to present a unified board position if the measure goes forward.
Clerk-Recorder Rebecca Martinez warned of a logistical constraint: translated text for ballot materials (Spanish, Chinese, Punjabi) will be needed and staff should receive the resolution by about July 1 to ensure timely translation and processing for the November ballot; she said the county also expects a heavy statewide ballot load this year.
Board members expressed support for raising the TOT to align with neighboring counties and to ensure continued funding for public-safety and tourism-related services. The board’s direction was procedural: staff will return with a formal resolution for consideration and materials suitable for translation and ballot printing.
What’s next: County staff will draft and bring back a resolution and ballot language in advance of clerk-recorder translation deadlines; the board must formally place the measure on the ballot and voters will decide.
