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Fresno County officials outline plan to seek visitor tax for unincorporated areas
Summary
County leaders explained a proposed transient occupancy tax (TOT) that would apply only to short-term lodging in unincorporated Fresno County, could match the 12% city rate and is estimated to bring roughly $4.5 million annually; the Board will consider placing the measure on the ballot at its June 30 meeting.
County officials explained a plan to pursue a transient occupancy tax for unincorporated Fresno County and invited public comment ahead of a Board of Supervisors meeting on June 30.
Paige Benvitas, Fresno County budget director, said the proposed tax would apply to short-term lodging stays of 30 days or fewer in unincorporated areas and would not be layered on top of city rates for hotels or short-term rentals inside city limits. "This type of tax does not apply to county residents in their primary or long-term residence," Benvitas said, describing the tax as primarily paid by visitors. She said a county TOT could generate an estimated $4.5 million annually if it matched current 12% rates charged in the cities of Fresno and Clovis.
The measure would first require a supermajority of the Board of Supervisors to place it on the ballot and then majority approval from voters, Benvitas said. "All funds from a TOT remain local and by law cannot be redirected by the state," she said.
County Administrative Officer Paul Nerlin framed the proposal as one option to address growing budget pressures. He noted Fresno County is one of the few large California counties without an unincorporated-area TOT and said matching city rates would align how short-term lodging is treated across jurisdictional lines.
In response to questions, staff clarified that the proposed county tax would not stack on top of city-imposed TOTs; it would apply only to properties in unincorporated areas. Benvitas said staff did not provide a district-level revenue breakdown in the presentation but said the revenue estimate is based on counts of lodging types in unincorporated areas: about 706 hotels/motels/resorts and about 914 RV parks and campgrounds.
Officials advised residents concerned about geographic distribution of revenues to work with their district supervisor. Nerlin pointed listeners to Supervisor Nathan Magsig as the representative for District 5 and said the board would set spending priorities following needs assessments if the tax is approved.
Residents may submit public comment to FresnoCountyPIO@fresnocounty.gov. Nerlin said the Board will consider the proposal on Tuesday, June 30 at 9:30 a.m. at the Hall of Records, 2281 Terry Street; if the board approves placement on the ballot, the tax would appear on the November ballot.
