City Generates Revenue, Despite Negative Economic Forecasts
Bed Tax, Sales Tax Revenues Up Slightly - Thought Not Necessarily Enough
Despite widespread economic forecasts of doom-and-gloom, the City of Santa Barbara still seems to be doing an OK job generating revenue. Bed tax revenues-exacted from the hides of hotel and motel guests-were up nine percent from what they a year ago, and the number of passengers using the Santa Barbara airport posted a respectable in rise as well. While sales taxes only increased by .03 percent, Santa Barbara City Councilmember Roger Horton noted that in most cities throughout the state they were going down. “It could have been worse,” said Horton. “A lot worse.” Whether these numbers will be enough to offset rising salaries and other expenses, however, remains another question entirely.
