ElectionWednesday, November 4
Collier voters approve a sixth penny on the tourist tax to finish the sports complex
The Naples Today team
Collier's bed tax is going up a penny. Voters approved the increase Tuesday, raising the tourist tax from 5% to 6%. It passed despite opposition from the Naples Area Board of Realtors over fiscal concerns.
The sixth penny passed by a wide margin
- 70%
- or more of the vote, a simple majority was needed
- 112,812
- votes for the increase
- 6%
- new tourist tax rate, up from 5%
- $40M–$50M
- needed to complete the sports complex
Source: Chiefs Wire
The extra revenue, estimated at nearly $10 million a year, is primarily intended to finish the Paradise Coast Sports Complex in East Naples. Commissioner Burt Saunders, who pitched the hike as the way to raise that money, said Tuesday night: "I was confident this was going to pass."
- Tax applies to hotel, resort and rental stays of six months or less
- Expansion could add five softball and six baseball diamonds
- Today's complex: synthetic turf fields and a 3,500-seat stadium
- Tourist Development Council would review proposed spending of the extra penny
Collier's tourist tax rises one penny to 6%
Source: Chiefs Wire
View as table
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Old rate | 5% |
| New rate | 6% |
The question shared the ballot with races in Naples, Marco Island and Collier County, and polls were open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sources: Chiefs Wire, The News-Press, Naples Daily News