Pacific Grove City Council pushed admissions tax ahead

UPDATE 6/16/16 10:57 AM: On Wednesday night, the Pacific Grove City Council voted in favor of placing the admissions tax on the November, according to Mayor Bill Kampe.

The measure will undergo a second reading on July 20.

PREVIOUS STORY: With millions of tourists flocking in and out of Pacific Grove, the city wants to bring in even more money by taxing admissions to local forms of entertainment.

“We really need to look to all parties who use our facilities here in the city to be part of supporting our city,” said Mayor of Pacific Grove Bill Kampe.

Businesses like the movie theater, golf course and Monterey Bay Aquarium could all see a hike in admission prices if the plan is approved. According to Kampe, the final decision will be made by voters.

But the aquarium isn’t a fan of the idea, serving as a non-profit with a mission to conserve the ocean.

“In our view, the money we raise, the money we take in, should go to that mission,” said Hank Armstrong with the Monterey Bay Aquarium, “whether its educational programs, marine research, or policy and advocacy.”

According to the city, an admission tax would help improve its infrastructure and maintain roadways. On Wednesday night city leaders will decide whether the tax should be a set amount or a percentage of admission costs.

As a part of the community of Pacific Grove, the aquarium says it’s disappointed.

“There’s so much of the aquarium that’s in Pacific Grove, in terms of staff, residents, volunteers, thousands of school kids from Pacific Grove come through for programs and teachers come through,” said Armstrong.

But hopefully common ground can be met.

“A city is a non-profit organization just as they are, and we also have a mission to serve our citizens and take care of our citizens just as they have a mission,” said Kampe, “and my belief is we have to find a way to share some of the expenses of doing that.”

If the proposed tax ordinance gets ironed out it will be put on the November ballot.