Yet the Tourism Bureau continues to be the focus of funding by Supervisors who also boast of the continuing increase in the (Transient Occupancy Tax) TOT, of over a million dollars from the previous year. If the TOT has increased that dramatically, so has the (Business Improvement District) BID funding for Tourism! Both taxes are applied for the same service. (No mention is ever given on the subject). In addition to the approximate 2 million dollar budget of the Tourism Bureau, millions more are spent on Tourism advertising of Mariposa County through Delaware North, Best Western, Comfort Inn and all of the other County Hospitality Businesses. Would be interesting to see the total amount of advertising dollars spent by all participants vying for the County Tourist trade.
It is true Mariposa County is dependent on Tourist dollars but the fact is there is a segment of the population of the County who derive absolutely nothing from Tourism. They are no doubt the majority of the residents who pay their taxes and expect County Services in return. It is time for this BOS to re-focus and address the needs of the short-funded Sheriff's office, the needs of Technical services and increase the budget for Public Works so our very capable Director can address the many neglected areas he inherited.
As to the Tourism Bureau, if more funding is needed, you have the option of increasing the BID tax.
Let's face the facts, for the past several years all the BOS has focused on is Tourism, Convention Center, and another Big Hotel.
It's time the people who live here realize more from their County Government!
Why not just concentrate on a Community Center that everyone could benefit from?
Ruth Sellers,
Mariposa
