After much discussion, Commissioners agreed that the City should return 50% of transient occupancy tax (TOT) revenue to the Barlow Hotel so that the development can move forward
This town loves to reduce TOT revenue at all costs! Another comically bad revenue-reducing decision by them. Par for their "Chapter 13, here we come" approach to running the town. If they only treated TOT revenue like they treat our water bills...
The city council has Got To stop acting like there isn't a financial crises! If they agree to this we are lost. And if they do agree to it I think it's time we start thinking about a class action suit for the extreme mismanagement of the city's finances. The legal fees may very well bankrupt this town but if they continue like this then that's where we're headed anyway.
When the economy tanks so does tourism. If the Barlow owner couldn't find outside investors then let's call it a day and not suck the money out of the town.
First of all in the projected TOT revenue by the applicant is something I would not even accept. Always get an outside and unbiased review of the estimated TOT revenue. Second why should we give them back 50% of that revenue. The city is in a financial hole. If you want to give them something the maybe 20-25% and the city keep the rest. That way all the extra traffic and city services that are going to be needed that 75% TOT money could be used to shore up what the extra cost those services will need to provide. Especially when the City Counsel wants to return the downtown to two way street traffic.
This town loves to reduce TOT revenue at all costs! Another comically bad revenue-reducing decision by them. Par for their "Chapter 13, here we come" approach to running the town. If they only treated TOT revenue like they treat our water bills...
The city council has Got To stop acting like there isn't a financial crises! If they agree to this we are lost. And if they do agree to it I think it's time we start thinking about a class action suit for the extreme mismanagement of the city's finances. The legal fees may very well bankrupt this town but if they continue like this then that's where we're headed anyway.
When the economy tanks so does tourism. If the Barlow owner couldn't find outside investors then let's call it a day and not suck the money out of the town.
First of all in the projected TOT revenue by the applicant is something I would not even accept. Always get an outside and unbiased review of the estimated TOT revenue. Second why should we give them back 50% of that revenue. The city is in a financial hole. If you want to give them something the maybe 20-25% and the city keep the rest. That way all the extra traffic and city services that are going to be needed that 75% TOT money could be used to shore up what the extra cost those services will need to provide. Especially when the City Counsel wants to return the downtown to two way street traffic.