by Garth Meyer
Redondo Beach Treasurer Eugene Solomon has called for action from the city council, to “stop delaying” revenue-producing programs.
“Hope is not a plan,” he said from the podium at the Jan. 21 council meeting, during public input on non-agenda items. “… At least discuss the (programs).”
“You talk about being a business-friendly town, what about resident-friendly? You’ve done nothing.”
Solomon later explained to Easy Reader that he was referring to city budget discussions last spring, mainly about Transit Occupancy Tax (T.O.T.), as it relates to the city’s short-term rental ban.
“We only speak about these things during budget discussion in June,” he said. “T.O.T. and how it interfaces with short-term rentals.”
He would like to see more attention to the subject, in one of two ways.
“Either register and license the short-term rentals, and collect Transit Occupancy Tax outside the Coastal Zone, or start enforcing the short-term rental ban,” Solomon said.
He noted an estimated 150 short-term rentals in the city, as counted by Deckard Consultants, who offered a service to the city last June to license the rentals. The city council decided not to engage.
Short-term rentals are enforced on a by-complaint basis.
Transit Occupancy Tax (hotel room tax) in Redondo Beach is set at 12%. In last year’s budget discussions, the city council considered raising it to 14%, to match that of nearby cities.
An increase in T.O.T. would have to be approved by voters. The city council would need to vote to put it on the ballot.
Mayor Jim Light responded to Solomon’s council remarks earlier this week in an interview.
“Personally, Eugene’s another elected official, he could have sat down with us,” Light told Easy Reader. “I like Eugene, and I think he’s a great treasurer. … I’d like to know further what he thinks we’re not doing and what he wants us to do.”
The mayor said he went back and watched video of the council’s budget discussions last year.
“I’m going to schedule a time to sit down with Eugene to go through what he has in mind. Then I’ll sit down with the city manager,” Light said.
“My goal is to bring attention to these issues,” said Solomon. “That there’s potential revenue there for the city.” ER
