Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transient Occupancy Tax topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Westminster council votes 4–0 to place a city services hotel tax measure on Nov. 3 ballot at 12%
Summary
After review of a July survey, the council voted unanimously to submit a transient occupancy tax (TOT) measure to raise the rate to 12% to fund general city services; staff and legal counsel clarified ballot language and the council discussed alternatives including 10%–14%.
The Westminster City Council voted 4–0 to submit a city services transient occupancy tax (TOT) measure to the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot. The adopted resolution, as moved on the dais and presented with staff’s recommended ballot language, sets the proposed rate at 12 percent and includes fiscal accountability language described in the staff report.
Adam Sonnichsen of FM3 Research presented polling conducted July 12–20 showing a narrow initial split on a 14% rate (about 51% yes, ±5%), while a 12% alternative tested higher (about 58% yes after informational language). Sonnichsen told the council that voters’ top priorities for potential revenue included emergency response, public safety and protecting local drinking water.
Councilmembers debated alternatives including 10%, 11%, 12% and 14% and discussed whether to swap a phrase in the 75‑word ballot label (staff proposed replacing "providing youth/senior programs" with "addressing speeding/unsafe driving" to reflect survey priorities). City legal counsel explained short‑term rentals were removed from the question because the city does not allow them, and noted placing a general tax on the ballot requires a two‑thirds (0.667) council vote to submit the ordinance for voter approval.
After amendments were discussed, the clerk called roll and recorded a 4–0 vote to place the 12% measure on the ballot. Council directed staff to proceed with the resolution and related ordinances for the ballot, with the final ballot question following the 75‑word constraint and the staff‑recommended wording changes where permitted by counsel.
