County considers plan to increase bed tax

Last week the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors preliminarily approved asking voters to increase the transient occupancy tax charged to those who stay in hotels and short-term rentals in the unincorporated areas of the county from 7 to 11 percent.

According to the County, increasing the tax would add $9.4 million in annual funding for infrastructure, public safety and other basic resident needs.

Nearly all California counties collect transient occupancy taxes (TOT), also known as bed taxes. Los Angeles and Inyo counties collect 12 percent, while Riverside and Orange counties collect 10 percent. TOT is also collected by many if not most cities.

In San Bernardino County, funds could be used to fund maintenance of streets and sidewalks, keep parks and other public spaces clean, increase support for public safety, and other services impacted by hotel and short-term rental guests.

The board will vote whether or not to put the measure on the November 5 ballot on July 23.