Jackson - The Amador County Board of Supervisors once again discussed raising the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) from 6 to 10 percent, with action delayed pending further research on the matter. County Administrative Officer Terri Daly told the board on Tuesday that research so far is “kind of like a ball of string- every time we pull on a string, more and more questions come up.” She said most of the surrounding counties currently have a TOT of 10 percent. The tax goes by various names and is typically levied against visitors who stay in hotels, inns, motels, recreational vehicle parks or other specified lodging. The authority to collect TOT is generally granted to the County Tax Collector by the Board of Supervisors. Deputy County Counsel Jennifer Magee said the TOT can apply to RV Parks and campgrounds, “if it is a membership-type campground.” The Supervisors have for the most part expressed support for the tax, which would in turn support local organizations like the Amador Council of Tourism. Daly said her research has raised many questions she would like to answer before drafting an ordinance. For example, she wondered why Calaveras and Tuolumne counties were unable to pass a TOT in recent years, but El Dorado County was. In reference to previous inquiries by the Supervisors, Magee said “it is not advisable to apply the tax to non-residents because…there is a constitutional equal-protection issue.” Vice-Chairman Brian Oneto, who was heading up the day’s proceedings because Chairman Ted Novelli was ill, asked for one uniform rate across the county. Daly said she would look into that. He also asked if the board would consider changing the name to something easier to understand, and suggested “Hotel Tax.” All advice from the board was taken into consideration. They plan to revisit the item in their upcoming meeting next Tuesday. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.