NCT Voters to decide on taxing short-term rentals
It seems an easy sell to ask Encinitas voters to tax tourists, but supporters of Propositions F and G ---- two initiatives on the June 3 ballot that would do just that ---- aren't celebrating yet.

EF Encinitas Chamber of Commerce Endorses F and G

Encinitas First, a Chamber of Commerce periodical. The May issue included an endorsement written by Mike Andreen.

NCT Mike Andreen's Op-ED
We always say, "Better beaches means better business!"

Local business leaders knew that repairing our beaches would be a vital component in any renaissance along the 101. We formed the "Citizens for Sand" Committee. Its members were then-chamber President Russell Griffith, Coast Dispatch editor Dennis Lhota, Steve Aceti, then-Parks and Recreation commissioner Jerome Stocks, myself, chairman of economic development for the Encinitas chamber, and a host of volunteers.

Vote "Yes" on F and G on June 3.

ECEN Citizens for Sand Endorse Prop F and G
Prior to the May Encinitas First, the Encinitas Chamber delivered the following advertisement in their e-news distribution.

This is very curious. According the city clerk there is no campaign organization filing campaign papers by the name of Citizens for Sand. Even more curious is what the CEO of the Chamber told me. In response to my specific question about about the Citizens for Sand endorsement, he said there had been no paid advertising in that e-newsletter.

Notice the images in the "paid for advertisement" and the Chamber's Encinitas First endorsement are the same.

RCSD Jerome Stocks' Prop F and G Blog Post
Encinitas, like every other City already does collect T.O.T. from most lodgers; but not all, and that's what Proposition F and Proposition G attempt to correct. The issue before the voters of Encinitas is not a tax increase...

UT Union Tribune Opposes Encinitas' Prop F and G
On the surface, two ballot measures in Encinitas are all about fairness...

There is no formal ballot argument against either measure so both probably will pass easily. But when Encinitas cannot say whether the tax extension would bring in $33,000 or $472,000, whether it would require additional municipal employees or not, it is obvious the city has not done its homework. Voters buying into this may find themselves sprinting across hot sand.

We recommend No votes on Propositions F and G. Let the city come back to voters when it can show that it understands the issue.

UT Propositions Would Tax Short-Term Rentals
Absentee balloting began earlier this week. Signing arguments in favor of the measures are councilmen James Bond and Dan Dalager; Peder Norby, a city consultant on Coast Highway 101 issues; and downtown Encinitas business owners Don Hansen and Charlie Sougias.

"It doesn't appear their (the city's) intent is genuine,” said Lani Lutar, president and chief executive officer of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association.

SDCTA San Diego County Taxpayers Association Opposes F and G
Some members think that manually adding sand is a waste of tax dollars because the expense is high and the sand can quickly be washed away.

NCT Prop F and G Editorial
Passage of these two measures will clean up both existing hotel guest taxes so that all those who lease temporary housing in Encinitas will pay the same tax.

With that in mind, we urge Encinitas voters to vote "yes" on both Props. F and G.