City celebrates passage of Measure P in Tuesday's election

Measure P, the two percent raise in transient occupancy tax for lodging properties in the City limits, has passed by a fairly large margin. With 100 percent of the precincts counted, a "yes" vote of 3,214 to 1,537 has passed by a 35.30 percent difference in the unofficial results.

The measure will use the funds raised by the extra tax to support recreational improvements in the City. A new recreation center, competitive pool and ball courts are in the plans.

Lodging properties, including vacation rentals, will now charge a 12 percent room tax in most of the city, and 14 percent in the redevelopment area near Stateline.

“With the passage of Measure P we can envision a very bright future for the community of South Lake Tahoe," said SLT City Manager Nancy Kerry. "Although the results are unofficial, city residents have voted in favor of their own future. Measure P will provide on-going funding for our main economy: Recreation. The City is poised to implement the vision developed by the community through the Recreation Master Plan and the Recreation and Swim Complex design workshops."

The Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe was also a big supporter of the measure as they will need a new home to accommodate their growing needs and are looking to a new recreation center to be their new home.

“We live in a wonderful community that supports the City and together with the passage of Measure P there is so much more we can do together," said Mayor Wendy David stated, "The future is bright and these are exciting times and we’re excited to continue with the passage of this measure.”

“The South Lake Tahoe Lodging Association and lodging community is thrilled that Measure P has passed, providing our community with a future first-class recreation facility that will benefit our local community recreation users, our Boys and Girls Club families and our visitors for years to come,: said Jerry Bindel of the South Lake Tahoe Lodging Association. "This facility will be a world-class facility for swimming and rehabilitation, court-based sports, tournaments, events and community gatherings. We thank the local voters for supporting Measure P and the future of our recreation-based community.”

Measure P for Recreation:
With the passage of Measure P, 100% of the increased revenue will be utilized for the special purpose of construction, operation and maintenance of a new Recreational Complex as set forth in the adopted Recreation Master Plan. The current Recreation Swim Complex was built in 1975 and is in substantial need of repair and maintenance. For the past year, the City has held numerous public workshops and meetings to redesign the Recreation Swim Complex. The City will immediately bring forward a plan to finalize the construction drawings in 2017 and issue bonds to encumber the pledged revenue through Measure P. It is anticipated construction will begin in 2018 and completion in 2020.