Don’t be fooled! The Board of Supervisors believes an increase is needed to fund essential programs, while they keep on spending discretionary funds for non-essential programs and services. They try to justify the TOT increase by comparing Mariposa's rate to that of San Francisco, Los Angeles and other metropolitan tourism markets having multiple entertainment venues and other infrastructure for visitors. But San Francisco and the other out-of-our region markets are not our competition. The issue is where tourists will stay while visiting Yosemite, making our competition the other gateway communities. A rate of 11.25% would be the highest of Mariposa’s neighboring counties (Tuolumne 10%, Madera 9% and Merced 10%), where competition for Yosemite visitor stays is fiercest. Most stays are booked on the internet and total cost, including tax, matters in ranking and the choices tourists make.

 Don’t be fooled!  The main cause of the County’s financial problems is the unfunded liabilities for retirement benefits. And on the very same day the Board of Supervisors considered increasing the TOT rate, it also accepted a report recommending an across-the-board pay raise for current County employees. The government might be able to give itself a raise by raising taxes, but the rest of us need to live within a budget. And don’t be fooled that only tourists will feel the pain, because vacations have budgets too. Nearly two thirds of what tourists spend in Mariposa County is for goods and services, excluding accommodations. The $1.4 million tax increase would reduce what tourists are able to spend in local restaurants and shops, putting many more local jobs and businesses at risk.

Don’t be fooled! The County’s TOT revenue has grown over the past decade by nearly 50% from $7.8 million to $11.6 million. And it will continue to grow even more, but increasing the rate is the wrong way to do it. The right way is to support the tourism industry’s efforts to expand into what is now the “off” season, so that the local private sector (businesses and employees alike) also benefit.

Reject this tax increase for what it is: a job-killing burden on any local business that depends on tourist spending. TOT has made it too easy for County government to avoid making the difficult decisions needed to control spending, and finding alternative ways to grow Mariposa’s economy.

Please vote NO on Measure K

Gary and Rickey Francisco, Owners                                                                                       
Yosemite JuniperCrest Vacation Rental

Roger Biery,                                                                                                                                         
Sierra Communications

Donna Davis, General Manager                                                                                                        
The Redwoods in Yosemite Vacation Home Rentals

Doug Shaw, Caroline McGrath, Owners                                                                                    
Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort

Kevin Shelton, Vice president Operations & Marketing                                                             
Yosemite Resorts

Ron and Lorelei Stapp, Owners                                                                                                               
Miners Roadhouse 140, The River Restaurant,                                                                              
Cedar House Restaurant, Parkside Pizza and Canyon Grill