More SoCo Cities Look to Tourism Improvement District for Funding

Sonoma isn't the only Sonoma County town looking towards a Tourism Improvement District as a way to boost the local economy and fill in the marketing dollar gaps left by redevelopment.

As reported earlier this year, the Healdsburg business community has asked the city to  revenue to assist in promoting the town.

 presented the idea to Healdsburg City Council earlier this year.

On Monday, the Healdsburg City Council gave unanimous approval for the city to take the next step on the district, which would set up a new tax on hotel visitors, according to the Press Democrat.

Sonoma's city council chose to move forward with plans for a Tourism Improvement District, adopting a Resolution of Intention on an April 2 meeting. The district will be in place for three years. 

The City Council will hold a public hearing on June 18 to give residents a chance to voice public response to the district tax - which would charge an additional 2 percent tax on all overnight stays within the city. 

(Read the city's complete presentation here.) 

But in a recent poll, Sonoma , with almost 50 percent in favor of forming the district, while 50 percent remained skeptical. 

To read the article, click here.