County Supervisors Waive $64,840 Tax Debt for Dare 2 Dream Farms
In a rare move, the Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to forgive back taxes for the Lompoc Valley farm, citing its community value and unique circumstances.
A Lompoc Valley farm family received welcome news this week when the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to waive $64,840 in transient occupancy tax, interest, and penalties tied to their farm stay operation. It was the first such appeal approved since the county's short-term rental ordinance took effect in 2018.
Dare 2 Dream Farms, located off La Salle Road west of Lompoc, has grown from selling a few extra eggs in 2009 to a diverse operation offering organic produce, farm-to-table dinners, educational tours, and overnight farm stays. Co-owners Megan and Jeremy Raff told supervisors that paying the debt would likely force them to cut their small workforce and scale back free school tours, homeschool programs, and services for disabled adults.
A Rare Exception
The farm didn't collect transient occupancy tax during a period when the county was developing its Ag Enterprise Ordinance, creating what the Raffs called a "significant gray area." Fifth District Supervisor Steve Lavagnino, who has voted against every previous tax appeal since 2010, made an exception in this case. "This is not another wealthy family trying to collect on their fourth home," he said. "This is the type of business we should be encouraging."
The farm has since resumed collecting and remitting the required 14% tax. Supervisors Joan Hartmann, Steve Lavagnino, and Laura Capps voted to waive the debt, while Roy Lee and Bob Nelson opposed, citing fairness to other taxpayers. For more local business news, visit /news or explore our business directory.
Facts via Lompoc Record.
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