The city of Santa Barbara received $6.25 million in sales tax revenue during the quarter that ended Sept. 30, 2019, which is 7.8% less than the same quarter last year.
Following adjustments for delays in payments from the state during 2018, sales tax revenue grew by 10.3% from the same quarter last year, said Jennifer Tomaszewski, finance and treasury manager for the city.
The city’s sales tax is its second largest general fund reserve. The budget for the fiscal year is $23,773,382. Sales tax results for the December quarter will be available in February.
The city collected approximately $1.33 million in transient occupancy taxes for November 2019, which is 2.2% below November of last year.
“Lodging establishments throughout the City seemed to feel the effects of the Cave Fire and wet weather during Thanksgiving weekend,” Ms. Tomaszewski said.
The city has collected approximately $9.8 million in TOT revenues through the first five months of this fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2019 to June 30. The city’s adopted TOT budget is $19,989,179.
Transient occupancy tax, also known as bed tax, is charged to guests at short-term rentals such as hotels and motels.
