SANTA BARBARA – Mayor Helene Schneider is proposing four initiatives including one that would affect businesses that serve alcohol past 11 p.m. in the downtown entertainment district.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Mayor Schneider announced her reform package that includes increased taxes and pension reform for all future city employees.
The first initiative the mayor announced is an additional business license tax for establishments in the entertainment district that runs from Sola Street to Cabrillo Boulevard.
The fees generated would be used to supplement the cost of police patrols downtown. The mayor said at the press conference she thinks it is only fair to have the businesses help contribute money towards additional public safety.
The fee would be a 0.25 percent tax on all gross revenue. It's estimated to bring in an additional $250,000 a year.
