City Council to consider ballot measure for taxes to fund affordable housing, snow removal, transit

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - During their meeting on Tuesday, September 26, the South Lake Tahoe City Council will be considering revenue-generating ballot measures to pursue for the November 2024 election. The Council had asked staff to prepare a report on expenditure plans to show how the City would spend additional revenue generated through a successful ballot measure on housing and/or transit.

They have until June 2024 to decide if they will add a ballot measure to the November 2024 ballot.

Possible ballot measures:

Special Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Increase for Housing - 2/3 majority vote needed, 2% increase citywide (to 14-16%), generates estimated $3,250,000

Special TOT Increase for Transit - 2/3 majority vote needed, 2% increase citywide (to 14-16%), generates an estimated $3,250,000

General TOT Increase - A simple majority vote is needed, a 2% increase citywide (to 14-16%), generates an estimated $3,250,000,

Charter City and Increase to Real Property Transfer Tax - A Simple majority vote is needed, to change from the current $0.55 per $1,000 flat rate to a marginal progressive tax rate averaging $7 per $1000, raises an estimated $3M-$4M

Increase Snow Removal Parcel Tax - A 2/3 majority of voters needed to pass, Increase from $20/parcel to $75/parcel, raises an estimated $875,625

Also on the agenda:

Amendments to City Attorney and City Manager employment agreements - Results from the Classification and Compensation study show the City Attorney classification is below the market median by about 6.5 percent, and the City Manager classification is below the market median by about 8.7 percent. Per their current employment agreements, they are entitled to receive any cost of living increase that other unrepresented employees receive, which is proposed at 4.2 percent for this year. This would move Irvin from $196,344 to $222,397 per year as a base compensation, and Stroud from $193,872 to $215,156.

Possible creation of an Employee Housing Bill of Rights Ordinance. Several larger recreation and tourism-based employers provide housing for their workforce, often through a master lease system in which the employer leases a number of single-family units, multi-family units, or hotel units for the sole use of housing employees. They will look at the development of a regulatory framework for developing an 'Employee Housing Bill of Rights Program,' which includes best practices where housing is tied to the employer and which supports seasonal workers.

The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. and will be held at the airport council chamber as well as virtually. For a full agenda and instructions on participation, visit https://cityofslt.us/84/Watch-City-CouncilCommission-Meetings.

Prior to the regular meeting, there is a 4 p.m. closed session to discuss anticipated litigation, negotiations of real property acquisition of easements 3707 and 3740 Blackwood Road, and labor negotiations with Stationary Engineers Local 39 (General and Public Works), Stationary Engineers Local 39 (Administrative & Confidential Association), South Lake Tahoe Police Association (Police Employees Unit), South Lake Tahoe Police Officers Association South Lake Tahoe Police Supervisors Association.