Prop 417
PROPOSITION 417
Renewal of City of Yuma Hospitality (2%) Tax
Read more about Prop 417 here.
What is the Hospitality Tax?
The Hospitality Tax is a 2% special sales tax placed on
all Yuma hotels, restaurants and bars to fund parks and
recreation, tourism, and the Yuma Crossing National
Heritage Area. Pursuant to Article III, Section 16 of the Yuma
City Charter, voters initially approved it in 1970 and later
renewed it for 15-year terms in 1993 and 2009.
There is already a Hospitality Tax; why are we voting on
this again?
This ballot initiative is a renewal of the existing tax, which
expires in 2024. In 2020, a group of citizen stakeholders
approached the City to advocate taking the renewal to voters in
2022, before expiration, in order to maintain ongoing funding.
Who pays the Hospitality Tax?
Yuma visitors and residents contribute towards the
Hospitality Tax when they eat at Yuma restaurants and bars
or stay at a local hotel.
Who benefits from the Hospitality Tax?
Yuma residents directly benefit from the tax, which supports
Yuma-area quality of life in a number of ways. The tax
ensures funding for citywide parks and recreation, which
includes everything from making sure sports fields are ready
for play to providing arts and cultural activities. Hospitality
Tax funds are also used to market and promote the City of
Yuma to a national audience as a tourist destination.
What does the Hospitality Tax fund?
By law, the Hospitality Tax can only be used for the following:
- City of Yuma parks, recreation, arts and cultural
activities/facilities/amenities. - Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area activities
located within the City limits. - Visit Yuma, the City’s statutorily designated Destination
Marketing Organization
How are the funds shared between the three entities?
The proposed ballot language provides that the Heritage
Area and Visit Yuma would each receive 10% of the
allocation (for a total of 20%) with up to 80% allocated to
the City of Yuma for parks, recreation, and arts and culture
activities/facilities/amenities.
How much money does the Hospitality Tax generate?
For the past five years, the average amount generated
by the Hospitality Tax is $6.4 million. In Fiscal Year 2022,
the Hospitality Tax generated $8.5 million in funding
with approximately 84% of the collections coming from
restaurants and bars, and 16% from hotels. Based on
current trends, the Hospitality Tax is projected to generate
this level of funding in Fiscal Year 2023.
How much does an average resident or visitor contribute
to the Hospitality Tax?
The amount a resident or visitor contributes toward the
Hospitality Tax depends on how often they eat out or stay in
local hotels. For example:
• If an individual ate out at a local fast food restaurant,
and the bill was $15, they would contribute 30 cents
toward the Hospitality Tax.
• If a family ate out at a restaurant or bar and the bill was
$100, they would contribute $2 toward the Hospitality Tax.
• If a visitor stayed at a local hotel and paid $250, they
would contribute $5 toward the Hospitality Tax.
Those who do not spend money at Yuma restaurants, bars,
or hotels do not contribute towards this tax.
How does the City of Yuma use the funds?
The City of Yuma uses the Hospitality Tax to fund parks and
recreation operations, programs and amenities including:
• Ongoing maintenance and improvements to parks and
playgrounds.
• Recreation facilities and amenities like swimming pools,
golf courses, and sports and recreational complexes.
• Recreational programming.
• Swimming pools.
• Yuma Art Center and Yuma Civic Center.
• Arts and cultural activities.
How does Visit Yuma use the funds?
Since 1990, Visit Yuma’s mission has been to promote Yuma
as a destination by embracing the community’s brand, sharing
and celebrating Yuma’s rich heritage, diverse local events,
hospitality businesses and history with visitors and residents.
Visit Yuma is responsible for marketing, promoting and
selling the Yuma area within the travel and tourism industry
and to leisure visitors. The Hospitality Tax helps support Visit
Yuma’s general operations, as well as to fund marketing
materials like the Visitor Guide, to operate the Yuma Visitors
Information Center, and to advertise, market and conduct
sales activities focusing on leisure visitors, meetings and
events, tour planners and sports and tournament planners.
How does the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area
use the funds?
Building on its 20 years of developing over 500 acres of
riverfront parks, trails and wetland conservation areas, the
Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area stimulates economic
development in historic downtown Yuma with activities that
promote and contribute to local heritage tourism, while
preserving and interpreting the areas cultural, historical,
and geologic resources. The Hospitality Tax funds the
operations, management and maintenance of the Heritage
Area including Yuma East Wetlands, Yuma Territorial Prison
and Colorado River State Historic Park. The tax also supports
cultural and educational outreach and programming and
provides technical and financial assistance to improve West
Wetlands habitat, trails, and amenities.
What happens if the renewal fails?
Parks and Recreation, Visit Yuma, and the Heritage Area all
rely heavily on these funds to operate, with the Hospitality
Tax making up 30-50% of their operating budgets. If the
Hospitality Tax is not renewed, each entity will have to
reevaluate current programs, services and operations, and
identify where reductions can be made and determine what
programs or services to discontinue.
ORDINANCE NO. O2022-020
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF YUMA, ARIZONA, CALLING
AND ORDERING A SPECIAL ELECTION, IN
CONJUNCTION WITH THE GENERAL ELECTION,
FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETERMINING WHETHER
TO AMEND ARTICLE III, SECTION 16 OF THE CITY
CHARTER OF THE CITY OF YUMA, ARIZONA,
REGARDING CONTINUATION OF THE CITY OF
YUMA 2% HOSPITALITY TAX AND DISTRIBUTING
TEN PERCENT (10%) OF TOTAL HOSPITALITY
TAX COLLECTIONS TO THE HERITAGE AREA AND
TEN PERCENT (10%) OF TOTAL HOSPITALITY
TAX COLLECTIONS TO THE DESIGNATED
DESTINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATION
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted Resolution
R2022-006 calling a general election to be held on
November 8, 2022, at the same time as the national and
state elections; and,
WHEREAS, Article III, Section 14 of the Yuma City Charter
provides that the City shall have the power to make all rules
and regulations governing elections not inconsistent with
the Constitution and statutes of the State of Arizona; and,
WHEREAS, Article IV, Section 1 and Section 7 of the Yuma
City Charter provides the City Council a mechanism, by
ordinance, to call for special elections; and,
WHEREAS, Article XVI of the Yuma City Charter provides
that the Yuma City Charter may be amended in the manner
provided in the Constitution of the State of Arizona; and,
WHEREAS, Article XIII, Section 2 of the Arizona State
Constitution and Arizona Revised Statutes § 9-283(C) and
§ 19-143(C) provide that the Yuma City Charter may be
amended by amendments proposed and submitted to the
qualified electors by the City Council at a general or special
election and that no amendment shall be effective until it is
approved by a majority of the votes cast thereon.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council
of the City of Yuma as follows:
SECTION 1: A Special Election shall be held at the same
time as the General Election of November 8, 2022, to submit
to the qualified electors of the City of Yuma the question
set forth below to determine whether the City Charter of
the City of Yuma should be amended by adoption of the
amendments shown in Section 2 below:
SECTION 2: The proposition shall appear on the ballot in
substantially the following form:
Proposition 417
Shall Article III, Section 16 of the Yuma City Charter
be amended to continue the 2% Hospitality Tax with
percentages distributed to tourism organizations in the
City and to read as follows (strikethrough text indicates
proposed deletions and underlined bold text indicates
proposed additions):
ARTICLE III:
Section 16. Special sales tax.
The City of Yuma shall have the further right and power by
ordinance, without an election, to assess, levy and collect
excise taxes on the privilege or right to engage in business,
as the word “business” shall be defined in such ordinance,
for the purpose of revenue and provide penalties from
the nonpayment thereof. Such taxes may be computed
upon, but shall in no event exceed an amount equal to one
percent (1%) of gross proceeds of sales, gross income
or gross proceeds; except that taxes amounting to an
additional two percent (2%) of the gross proceeds of sales
or gross income from the businesses of restaurants, bars,
hotels and motels (as such businesses shall be defined by
ordinance) may be imposed by ordinance. It shall be the
policy of the city to apply such two percent (2%) taxes at
an annualized rate which may be used to pay the costs
of acquisition, construction, operation, maintenance,
promotion, administration, repair and reconstruction for the
following purposes:
(1) $2,500,000 Up to eighty percent (80%) of the actual
collections of the two percent (2%) taxes to Citywide
parks, recreation, arts and cultural activities, Yuma Art
Center, City golf courses, the City’s baseball/recreation
complex, existing Yuma Civic Center and necessary and
appropriate service and administrative facilities appurtenant
thereto.
(2) $600,000 Ten percent (10%) of the actual collections
of the two percent (2%) taxes to the historic Yuma Crossing
area (Heritage Area) located within the City limits; and
(3) $400,000 Ten percent (10%) of the actual collections of
the two percent (2%) taxes to the designated Destination
Marketing Organization (DMO) for conventions and
tourism, within the City limits.
Any balance of such two percent (2%) taxes may be applied
only for the above purposes. Such two percent (2%) tax
shall begin July 1, 2009 2023 and shall terminate on
June 30, 2024 2038.
A “YES” vote shall have the effect of adopting the proposed
charter amendments.
A “NO” vote shall have the effect of not adopting the
proposed charter amendments.
SHALL THE ABOVE DESCRIBED AMENDMENTS BE
ADOPTED?
YES NO
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SECTION 3: The electors favoring the above City Charter
amendments shall vote “YES” and the electors opposing
such amendments shall vote “NO”.
SECTION 4: The Special Election shall be held in conformity
with the provisions of the Yuma City Charter and the general
election laws of the State of Arizona and that no person
shall be entitled to vote in the Special Election unless that
person is a registered voter of the City of Yuma.
SECTION 5: The City Council shall cause publicity
pamphlets and the ballot to be printed and shall send a
sufficient number of the ballots to the judges appointed to
conduct the Special Election.
SECTION 6: The Special Election returns shall be submitted
to the City Council of the City of Yuma in the same manner
and time provided for the returns of the ballots for the
General Election, whereupon the City Council shall canvass
the votes cast in the election and immediately thereafter
declare the results of the Special Election. ·
SECTION 7: If a majority of the qualified electors of the
City voting at the Special Election vote in favor of the
amendments proposed, it shall be the duty of the City
Council, immediately upon canvassing the votes cast in the
election as above provided, to transmit a certified copy of
the approved amendments to the Governor of the State of
Arizona for approval, as provided by the Yuma City Charter
and the Constitution of the State of Arizona.
Adopted this 1st day of June, 2022.
APPROVED:
/s/ Douglas J. Nicholls
Douglas J. Nicholls
Mayor
ATTESTED:
/s/ Lynda L. Bushong
Lynda L. Bushong
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
/s/ Richard W. Files
Richard W. Files
City Attorney
TEXT OF BALLOT
City of Yuma
PROPOSITION 417
OFFICIAL TITLE
A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE III, SECTION 16,
YUMA CITY CHARTER, RELATING TO SPECIAL 2% SALES
TAX ON HOTELS, MOTELS, RESTAURANTS AND BARS.
DESCRIPTIVE TITLE
Renew 2% hospitality sales tax on hotels, motels,
restaurants and bars until June 30, 2038, for Citywide parks,
recreation, arts/culture, Yuma Art Center, golf courses,
baseball/recreation complex, existing Yuma Civic Center,
historic Yuma Crossing (Heritage Area) located within city
limits; conventions and tourism. Carryover balances applied
only to above purposes.
A “YES” vote shall have the effect of adopting the proposed
charter amendment.
A “NO” vote shall have the effect of not adopting the
proposed charter amendments.
Yes
No
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Arguments for Prop 417
As a proud, retired member of the Yuma Fire Department, I
urge everyone to vote “yes” on Proposition 417.
If you visit our beautiful parks, participate in recreational
activities, visit the Yuma Art Center, or explore the Yuma
Crossing National Heritage Area, this renewal is essential. It
allows our community to protect the quality of life we enjoy
and fund a wide range of things we love about living here.
This small hospitality tax, first passed in 1970 and renewed
in 1993 and 2009, has been a boon to our city in making it a
special place to live and work.
It also helps Visit Yuma promote our city to tourists and
visitors from all over the country. Whether they come for
a day, week, or a few months, we welcome their business
because it provides job security and opportunities for
everyone.
Don’t let this revenue stream expire, many of the programs,
services, and facilities we count on could face reductions or
worse, elimination. Funds collected through this tax reduces
pressure on the General Fund, which is the fund that pays
for Police, Fire, and much of Public Works, all with growing
needs and increases in costs. Letting this tax expire would
have devastating effects on the community we love.
This is not a new tax or an increase, it is a continuation of
what has been paid since 1970. Remember, you only pay for
this if you go to a bar, restaurant, or hotel, so a large portion
of revenue is generated from our visitors and tourists. On a
$50 tab for dinner, you’ll only pay $1, which is a small price
for preserving all the enjoyable elements that we cherish
about living and serving in our Yuma community.
Steve Irr
Retired Yuma Fire Chief
Yuma, AZ
I’m proud to be a lifetime resident of Yuma, and I’m prouder
every day as I watch this incredible city grow and grow.
There’s a reason my grandfather, R.H. Lutes, settled in here.
He took over Lutes Casino in the mid-1900s, and it’s been in
our family’s hands ever since. As of today, the business has
been in operation for about 80 years. We welcome visitors
from every corner of the United States and understand that
tourism helps fuel Yuma’s economy.
When I see a policy debate that affects our future, I get
involved. That’s why I’m telling my friends and neighbors
about the importance of renewing the city’s hospitality tax.
That’s right: a clean, straightforward renewal of a 2% tax
approved by voters in 1970 and twice-renewed afterward.
There’s no new tax or tax increase to worry about here.
It has been levied on customers at hotels, restaurants, and
bars – establishments just like ours at Lutes Casino – for
half of a century without issue, especially since so many of
those customers are tourists. Plus, if you’re cutting back on
expenses and don’t plan to attend these establishments,
don’t worry. You won’t be taxed a cent.
The $8.1 million in revenue that the hospitality tax generated
in 2022 has unleashed funding for arts and cultural programs,
parks, and recreation amenities, and so much more. It may
seem small, but all of these services are helping our city
rebound after a tough few years.
I will be voting YES on Proposition 417 because I believe in
a stronger Yuma. Please join me in doing the same.
Mike Lutes
Owner, Lutes Casino
Yuma, AZ
Yuma is a great place to live. From our parks and recreation
programs to arts and cultural activities, to the Yuma Crossing
National Heritage Area, our city proudly offers residents a
real sense of community.
That’s why we absolutely must renew the 2% hospitality tax
again for the third time. As seniors, we enjoy so many things
that these funds support.
Many of us love to swim, golf, and take walks in the parks
at the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area. Others like
to bowl or attend indoor fitness classes. And we all look
forward to the annual events that bring everyone out to
socialize. Our lives are rich and full thanks to the funding
that makes these activities possible.
We also like the fact that Yuma is a tourist destination for
visitors from across the country. Part of the revenue from the
renewal—first passed in 1970—goes to Visit Yuma, which
works to attract even more tourists and visitors. This has
made our local economy strong and allows families to stay
here generation after generation, which builds community
even more.
And it comes at a small price to residents because visitors
who stay in hotels and go to bars and restaurants contribute
the most to this fund. In fiscal year 2022, the hospitality tax
generated $8.1 million, and it’s expected to bring in $8.3
million in 2023.
Whether we’ve raised families, held jobs, or opened
businesses in Yuma, we know the community has been
built on a stable foundation thanks to the hospitality tax.
Let’s continue to support our community and its enviable
amenities and opportunities by voting “yes” on Proposition
417.
Debra and Bruce Gwynn
Yuma, AZ
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As a lifelong Yuma resident serving nearly 33 years as a
public safety officer in our city, I endorse a “yes” vote on
Proposition 417 to ensure that everything that goes into
keeping our community strong and safe remains well-funded.
A secure and safe city is enhanced through opportunities that
allow the citizens a feeling of civic pride and togetherness.
These opportunities come in the form of programs and
infrastructure that include community celebrations and
parades, as well as access to parks and sporting venues.
Participation in these opportunities provide positive and
healthy options for citizens to recreate and socialize, which
benefits the safety of Yuma both directly and indirectly. The
continued collection of the 2% hospitality tax is needed:
80% goes to fund the support for these types of activities
along with arts and cultural programs and other events at
the Yuma Art Center and Yuma Civic Center.
Another 10% of the funds go to Visit Yuma, which promote
the city as a tourist destination across the country. It
helps bring in conventions, sports tournaments, and other
gatherings. More visitors equal more money from hospitality,
so our residents don’t have to pay as much for the amenities
that make us proud of our city.
The remaining 10% helps manage and maintain Yuma
Crossing National Heritage Area, which includes over 500
acres of riverfront parks, trails, and wetland conservation
areas that bring in nature lovers who tend to stay and spend
in our city. The funds also help promote local heritage
tourism, which is great for our downtown Yuma business
owners and their workers.
First approved in 1970, this tax continuation is expected to
generate $8.3 million for our city in 2023 and is a cornerstone
of protecting our quality of life.
John Lekan
Retired Chief of Police, City of Yuma Police Department
Yuma, AZ
Parents in Yuma depend on the city to provide a range of
parks, recreation programs, and arts and cultural activities
for us and our kids. We’ve enjoyed these amenities for
over 50 years thanks to the 2% hospitality tax on our bars,
restaurants, and hotels.
I’m personally grateful to have been educated in our
public schools, to play soccer, swim, dance, cheer, and
experience fun art classes through our recreation programs,
and to perform with the Yuma Orchestra Association. My
children have also been fortunate to experience all of these
extraordinary programs.
Please note: This is not a new tax or increase.
We’re all affected by inflation and don’t want to put any more
burden on our families; this just retains the status quo. Voters
first approved it in 1970 and it’s been a popular revenue source
ever since, with a large chunk coming from visitors and tourists.
Anyone who enjoys sports, art, holiday events, comic
conventions, block parties, or our Yuma Crossing National
Heritage Area should vote for this measure or risk cutbacks
in the things we love to do. The Children’s Festival of the
Arts, Yuma Rocks, the Yuma Orchestra performances, the
Yuma Historic Theater performances, and YumaCon are just
a few popular events that will benefit from this continuation.
We also support the renewal because it partially funds Visit
Yuma, which sells the Yuma brand and area to everyone
from day trippers to travel planners. As a business owner
and parent, my hope is that Yuma will continue to grow and
thrive thanks to the economic opportunities that tourism
brings, creating an enticing and exciting place for our
children to raise their children.
A “YES” vote on Proposition 417 will help preserve and
strengthen our community for generations to come.
Shelley Jones Mellon
Yuma, AZ
Yuma is an amazing city, which is due to the amazing people
who call Yuma their home. Thanks to our community’s
thriving culture and quality of life, we have also become
a tourist destination for those who want to experience
everything the southwest has to offer.
As Mayor, I’ve seen firsthand how much this tourism has
been a boon to our local businesses, contributing a $667
million economic impact across Yuma County last year
alone. The previous year, it helped us bridge through the
impact of the pandemic.
That’s why I support renewing the Yuma hospitality tax.
To be clear, this is not a new tax. This is not a tax increase.
It simply renews a 2% tax that has existed since 1970 (and
been renewed twice since then) – a significant portion of
which is collected from visitors and tourists. In other words,
if you don’t spend money at hotels, bars, and restaurants in
Yuma, you don’t contribute to the existing tax.
It’s a perfect way to finance city programs for our youth and
families without burdening our residents.
In return, all residents benefit. Revenue from the hospitality
tax goes toward parks, arts and cultural programs,
recreation, and events like the Fourth of July celebration
and the Christmas Tree lighting on Main Street. It helps
support the quality of life for Yuma.
I am proud to call Yuma my home and am so humbled to
serve as your Mayor. Let’s work together to protect what
makes Yuma great – and vote YES on Proposition 417.
Douglas Nicholls
Mayor, Yuma
Yuma, AZ
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The U.S. Army brought me to Yuma over 25 years ago. After
a 30-year Army career, my wife and I chose to retire here.
We love it here. On top of a strong and growing community,
it’s a deeply patriotic city that cares about our men and
women in uniform.
Of the 600,000 veterans who live in Arizona, more than
15,553 called Yuma County home as of 2020. Yuma Proving
Ground and Marine Corps Air Station Yuma infused about
$300 million into the local economy last year, bringing with
that more jobs and new families to southwestern Arizona.
The influx of new residents and the retention of those
leaving the military means we need to continue investing in
the amenities that ensure that the quality of life that draws
us to Yuma flourishes. Hence, the urgency and importance
of renewing the City of Yuma’s hospitality tax.
The renewal would mean that the existing voter-approved
tax on bars, hotels, and restaurants remains in place, no
change. No new taxes, no tax increases – just the same
2% that has been in place since 1970. Much of this is paid
by tourists and visitors, in addition, of course, to what we
residents pay to enjoy this wonderful Yuma lifestyle.
Active military members were restricted over the past few
years from enjoying everything Yuma has to offer (off-base)
due to pandemic directives. But that is changing. These men
and women will be able to get out and enjoy our city parks,
attend community events like the BBQ & Brew Festival, and
much more, all financed by the hospitality tax.
Vote YES on Proposition 417 to invest in Yuma’s amenities
and to keep this city shining for residents like you and me,
for servicemembers, and for all those new families who
relocate here.
Robert C. Filbey
Colonel U.S. Army, retired
Yuma, AZ
My family settled in Yuma in the 1930s, and in other ranching
and mining regions of Arizona before that. There is nowhere
I’d rather be.
Things have changed a lot since then! We’re home to a
renowned cultural scene and close-knit communities – both
of which have turned this city into a destination for visitors
from across the nation.
Indeed, the increase in tourism supported 5,810 jobs
throughout Yuma County in 2021. It’s a vital lifeline for
countless families – precisely why I support renewing the
hospitality tax.
This isn’t a tax increase, and it’s not a new tax. It’s merely
renewing a 2% tax that voters first approved in 1970 and
continues to this day. In fact, a decent percentage of the
tax revenue comes from tourists who eat at our city’s
restaurants and bars and who stay at our hotels.
With belts tightening, the hospitality tax is by far the best
(and least burdensome) mechanism we have to continue
sustaining Yuma’s economy. I say this both as a local small
business owner and as the former chairman of the Arizona
Republican Party.
The revenue will allow city officials to market Yuma as a
tourist attraction to a wider audience while funding initiatives
that improve residents’ quality of life, from recreational
programs to community events like the Dorothy Young
Memorial Electric Light Parade.
I urge everyone to join me in voting YES on Proposition 417
to keep Yuma’s economy growing.
Jonathan Lines
Supervisor, Yuma County
Yuma, AZ
How blessed we are to live in Arizona. From the diverse
backgrounds of our people to the plethora of economic
opportunities our state offers, there is no other place quite
like it.
I’ve worked in the Arts community for most of my life. The
Yuma Orchestra Association, for which I currently serve as
President/Conductor, has been here since 1976 acting as
an outlet for creative men, women, and children to share
their love of music and the enhancement of their quality of
life that comes along with it.
During this time, I’ve watched tourism in Yuma blossom
thanks to the successful efforts of local officials, and the
$667 million countywide economic impact generated by it
in 2021 has fueled significant investments that allow artists
and musicians to pursue their work.
I believe renewing Yuma’s hospitality tax is a reasonable
process.
I understand what it means to operate on a budget, and the
good news is that this renewal is neither a new tax nor a tax
increase. Voters first approved the hospitality tax in 1970
and it has existed ever since.
It is a 2% tax on patrons at restaurants, bars, and hotels
within city boundaries – many of whom are tourists and
visitors, not residents. What that means is: If you aren’t one
of those patrons, you won’t pay the existing tax at all.
The revenue funds cultural activities/amenities like the
Yuma Art Center, and events like the Children’s Festival of
the Arts, all of which boost quality of life and supercharge
the economic benefits of tourism to the city.
The confluence of natives, new residents, and visitors
passing through has sparked a wave of arts and culture.
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Now is our chance to keep it going.
Please join me and vote YES on Proposition 417.
Janet Jones
President, Yuma Orchestra Association
Yuma, AZ
Do you want Yuma to continue being a vibrant, thriving
community for residents and visitors? If so, I recommend a
“yes” vote on Proposition 417.
This will renew an important 2% hospitality tax that’s been
around over 50 years and that directly affects our quality of
life and our ability to attract tourism.
Most of the funds (80%) support parks, recreation programs,
and arts and culture. Another 10% helps the Yuma Crossing
National Heritage Area, which is important to those of us
who live here as well as tourists. And the other 10% goes
to Visit Yuma’s marketing, advertising, and sales efforts to
lure visitors, meetings and event planners, tour operators
and sports and tournament organizers. A regular stream of
visitors helps keep our local economy strong and preserves
the things we love about Yuma.
Much of the money raised from this renewal come from
long-term and short-term visitors who stay at hotels and
eat at bars and restaurants. It’s an excellent way to fund
citywide amenities and promote tourism without placing the
entire burden on Yuma residents.
As one who loves our city, I ask you to join with me and support
Proposition 417 to keep Yuma a great place to live and visit.
In His Grip,
Tyrone P. Jones
Lead Pastor, Church for The City
Yuma, AZ
I urge you to support Proposition 417.
A “yes” vote allows our city to continue collecting a 2%
hospitality tax on hotels, bars, and restaurants that mainly
benefits parks and recreation programs as well as arts and
cultural activities. The Yuma Crossing National Heritage
Area and Visit Yuma, which promotes our city as a national
destination, will each see 10% of the funds as well.
This is not a new tax or increase! It simply continues a longstanding source of funding for many of the things that make
our community an incredible place to live, work, and recreate.
A key advantage of this revenue stream is that a very
large amount of that money comes from people who visit
our community, take advantage of the local amenities,
roadways, etc., and who otherwise might contribute very
little to Yuma’s infrastructure.
This tax generated $8.5 million in fiscal year 2022. Losing it
would create a shortfall that would seriously disrupt services
our community has come to expect and enjoy or require an
increase in taxes on City of Yuma residents to make up for
the lost revenue.
We have a great community here, so please support this
important renewal that brings many benefits to our citizens
and visitors alike.
Russell McCloud
Co-Owner/General Manager, Accurate Automotive Attention
Yuma, AZ
Tourism has become a dynamic part of Yuma’s economy. In
fact, tourism brought in an estimated $667 million in revenue
countywide in 2021 and supported nearly 6,000 jobs.
Over 50 years ago, Yuma voters approved the initial
hospitality tax to enrich the quality of life of our residents.
The hospitality tax is a 2% tax on local hotels, restaurants,
and bars to fund parks, arts, recreation, tourism promotion,
and the Yuma National Heritage Area.
Yuma voters have overwhelmingly seen the benefit this small
tax brings to our city by renewing it twice in 1993 and 2009.
Yes for Yuma is asking voters to renew the tax for another 15-
year term so our city can continue providing the quality of life
our residents have come to expect and deserve. The existing
tax is set to expire in 2024, but we are proactively advocating
for an extension, so funding doesn’t become interrupted.
This is not a new tax. This is not a tax increase. The best
part is a significant portion of the tax is collected by tourists
and visitors to our great city. Yet, our residents are the
beneficiaries!
The annual revenue generated from the tax is projected at
$8.3 million in 2023 with 80% going towards parks, arts,
recreation programs, and cultural activities, 10% to the
Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, and 10% to Visit
Yuma for tourism promotion.
The hospitality tax also funds local events enjoyed by
residents such as the BBQ & Brew Festival, Children’s
Festival of the Arts, Christmas Tree Lighting on Main Street,
and many more.
Yuma takes great pride in providing world-class amenities
for our residents. The hospitality tax enables us to maintain
these levels of service and programs.
Please join us by voting Yes on Proposition 417 to continue
this valuable revenue stream.
Russell Jones
Chairman, Yes for Yuma
Yuma, AZ
14
Nothing compares to the unique experience of being an
Arizonan. Year-round sunshine, diverse cultures, and strong
families – we have it all.
I’ve worked in the agricultural field for most of my life.
My company, Top Flavor Farms, has been around since
1992 and provides the leafy greens to the fast food and
restaurant industries. It has been such a privilege to work at
the intersection of crops, ranches, and water.
Although agriculture is the largest sector of our city’s
economy, we’re very cognizant of the extent to which
tourism drives commercial activity here. And, to be
successful, we must position that sector for future growth.
The continuation of the 2% Yuma hospitality tax is a crucial
component of that strategy.
An example of how it works is this: Customers who spend
$15 at a local fast food restaurant are contributing 30 cents
to the hospitality tax – and they have been for the past 50
years, ever since Yuma voters approved it in 1970 (the same
2% rate applies to hotels and bars). It has been renewed
twice before, and it should be again.
The best part is that this renewal is not a tax increase (or a
new tax), and a sizeable portion of those paying are visitors.
In return, residents receive funding for golf course
maintenance, recreational facilities, and other amenities that
improve quality of life. It also strengthens the city’s ability to
market the tourism sector – a $750 million element of Yuma
County’s GDP as of 2019 – for continued growth, which will
have trickle-down effects.
To me, Proposition 417 is an easy one: I’m voting YES. It’s
the right choice for Yuma’s future.
Steven Alameda
Top Flavor Farms
Yuma, AZ
Arguments Against Prop 417
None filed
