Hotel Costs May Increase in Carpinteria to Help City Funds

The overnight bed tax in Carpinteria could be going up to help raise money for a variety of city needs. The city council takes a position on the issue tonight.For the increase to go up from ten percent to 12-percent, it will take voter support in November.The city says the money could be directed to many areas ranging from road projects to youth programs.Some business leaders would like to see it go directly to city promotions and tourism.The tax would only be on overnight hotel rooms, and not an increase to the general population of Carpinteria.