From: Ernie Carpenter
Sent: Thursday, July 16, 2026 1:44 PM
To: City Council <[email protected]>
Cc: Mary Gourley <[email protected]>
Subject: Barlow Hotel Tax
Dear Council,
Why is the Planning Commission considering the bed tax or any tax issue for the Barlow or any other development? Horrors. You have enough problems without an appointed "planning" body dealing with tax issues.
You should immediately repudiate the Planning Commission dealing with financial tax matters. That is, tell them it is not their duty or responsibility.
City Code 2.27.070 is clear on the duties of the Commission.
Two other points: 1) certain whims and political positions of certain Council members helped create the financial issues you now experience between the General Fund and the Enterprise Fund, and 2) you have been counting on the bed tax from the two proposed hotels for financial solvency. And you can't do for one hotel what you will not do for the other hotel.
I find it unbelievable that a lower body would impose itself into City finances in this form.
Obviously, the City Council has taken no action on this issue. I mention point 1) above because there are no guarantees for good fiscal management with this Council. Your citizens have expectations. I am sure waiving hotel bed tax fees is not one of them.
Respectfully,
Ernie Carpenter
Unincorporated Sebastopol