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CITY OF BURBANK CITY SERVICES MEASURE

Maintaining Essential Services in Burbank

Like many cities across California, Burbank is facing rising costs to provide the services residents rely on every day. During the City's budget planning process, Burbank identified a projected $2.7 million gap between revenues and expenses for the upcoming fiscal year. 

To help maintain essential services and address long-term financial needs, the Burbank City Council placed the City of Burbank City Services Measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot. 
 

What is the City Services Measure?

If approved, the measure would allow visitors staying in Burbank hotels and motels to contribute additional funding toward maintaining the services residents rely on every day. The measure would update Burbank's Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), also known as the hotel tax, from 10% to 12% and could generate approximately $3 million annually in locally controlled funding to help maintain public safety, emergency response, parks and recreation programs, and other services that support Burbank's quality of life.

The measure would bring Burbank's hotel tax rate in line with nearby cities such as Glendale and Pasadena, which have similar hotel tax rates.

WHO PAYS THE HOTEL TAX?

The hotel tax is paid by visitors staying at hotels and motels in Burbank. Visitors use local roads, public spaces, and emergency services during their stay. The hotel tax helps ensure they contribute toward the services they use while visiting the community.

If approved, the measure would represent the first adjustment to Burbank's hotel tax rate since 1983.
 

FAST FACTS
$3 Million
Estimated annual funding that could be generated by the hotel tax increase
10%-12%
Proposed hotel tax adjustment
1983
The last time Burbank adjusted its hotel tax rate
100%
All funding stays in Burbank

The City Services Measure: 

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DOES NOT INCREASE TAXES ON BURBANK RESIDENTS

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DOES NOT INCREASE TAXES ON HOMEOWNERS

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DOES NOT INCREASE TAXES ON LOCAL BUSINESSES

The hotel tax measure is one option to generate right-sized local revenue without increasing taxes on Burbank residents, homeowners, or local businesses. Like many local governments, Burbank is experiencing increasing financial pressure as the cost of providing services continues to rise. 

Key factors include:
•    Rising costs for public safety, equipment, and infrastructure
•    Reduced state and federal support for local governments
•    Growing demand for City services

The City has worked to manage costs, improve efficiency, and carefully evaluate spending. Even with those efforts, financial pressures continue to grow and the City must consider options to help maintain services.
Funding generated by the hotel tax increase could help maintain the services that contribute to Burbank's safety and quality of life, including:
•    Fire protection, paramedic services, and 911 emergency response
•    Safe and clean public areas and neighborhoods
•    Crime prevention and neighborhood safety
•    Disaster preparedness and wildfire prevention
•    Parks and recreation programs
•    Youth programs and activities
•    Services that support seniors and vulnerable residents
 
LOCAL CONTROL AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Every dollar generated by the measure stays in Burbank and may only be used for local services. No money will be taken by the state, county, or federal government.The measure requires annual independent financial audits and public disclosure of spending to help ensure transparency and accountability.
additional resources
JUNE 16 STAFF REPORT
JUNE 16 PRESENTATION TO COUNCIL
RESOLUTION