Bed tax collections rise 15.6 percent at North Lake Tahoe establishments

Transient Occupancy Tax "bed tax" collections were up 15.64 percent in the first quarter of fiscal year 2006/2007 for the North Lake Tahoe area compared to first quarter of fiscal year 2005/2006.

Tax collections in the portions of North Lake Tahoe in California for July through September 2006 were $2.5 million compared to $2.12 million collected during the same period of the prior year.

"It's the best first quarter we've had in the last five years," said Andy Chapman, tourism director of the North Lake Tahoe Resorts Association. "It's important to note that both Tahoe City and Squaw Valley brought in more than $700,000 each in TOT cash collections."

For the first quarter of this fiscal year, Kings Beach reported $168,639 in bed-tax cash collections, Tahoe Vista was $228,242, Northstar reported $104,566, Carnelian Bay was $332,718, Alpine Meadows was $472 and West Shore reported $150,570.

The tax in the amount of 10 percent of the rent is charged to visitors when they occupy a hotel, rental home or similar structure in North Lake Tahoe.