3,780 / 71.6% Yes votes ...... 1,501 / 28.4% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Meaning of Voting Yes/No

A YES vote of this measure means:

A majority "yes" vote on Measure O means that the 10% tax rate for the transit occupancy tax will continue.

A NO vote of this measure means:

A "no" vote means that the 10% tax rate for the transit occupancy tax would not be continued.

The City estimates that the tax increment between 8% and 10% generates approximately $2.8 million per year, which goes into the City's general fund for general government purposes, including capital improvements, in the City. The tax is collected by hotels as part of room bills.

Because under the proposed measure, the tax revenue would be put into the City's general fund for general City government purposes, a majority vote of the City's voters voting in this election is required to approve the measure. Because the tax would be adopted by a vote of the people, the tax rate could not be increased except by another vote of the people.

For information about the City of Burlingame

City of Burlingame Fact Sheet on Measures O, P and Q

Measure O will not increase the 10% hotel tax, which is currently being assessed, but will simply provide voter confirmation to continue the hotel tax at the same level that it has been since 1991. In 1991 when the Council set the rate it was felt that voter confirmation was not required, however recent court rulings have led the City Council to believe it would be prudent to place the item before the voters for confirmation. Vote Yes on Measure O and keep tax revenues fairly distributed to all those who use our city services. Approval of Measure O will insure that the thousands of hotel visitors who travel our streets; frequent our restaurants and retail areas; enjoy our beautiful shoreline trails and open space; as well as rely daily on our police, fire and medical response services pay their fair share. Approval of Measure O will prevent a loss of $2.8 million of hotel tax per year. Failure to approve Measure O would effectively increase Burlingame's dependency on revenues collected from the property tax payers to fund essential city services. Measure O will keep the hotel tax effectively at the same level as 12 other San Mateo County cities and below the 14% rate currently charged in San Francisco. The increase in the hotel tax from 8% to 10% has made it possible to rebuild our Library, construct the Bayfront bike path, as well as build the Burlingame Bayside soccer and golf centers. As we approach our 100th year anniversary as a City, it is important that we ensure our revenue structure continues to allow for necessary investment in our aging infrastructure. Join with the Peninsula Hoteliers, the Chamber of Commerce, Burlingame merchants and all the City Council candidates and current members in supporting Measure O.

/s/ Joe Galligan
Burlingame Mayor and City Council Member

/s/ Mary Janney
Burlingame City Council Member and Past Mayor

/s/ Stan Moore
President of the Peninsula Hotel Council

/s/ Georgette Naylor
President/CEO for the Burlingame Chamber of Commerce

/s/ Ron Agron
General Manager of the Burlingame Hyatt Regency Hotel

This ordinance is proposed by the City Council of the City of Burlingame and continues an increase in the transient occupancy tax rate from eight percent (8%) to ten percent (10%).

THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF BURLINGAME DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Section 4.09.025 is added as follows:

4.09.025 Tax Rate

For the privilege of occupancy in any hotel, each transient is subject to and shall pay a tax in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the rent charged by the operator.

Section 2. This ordinance shall be considered adopted on the date that the City Council declares the vote, and shall go into effect ten (10) days thereafter.