Foster City Voters go to the Polls

Foster City voters are going to the polls today in an election that will dramatically change the complexion of the City Council. Also on the ballot are a school board race and a hotel tax.The off-year election turnout was expected to be light, and anecdotally, it was.

Patch saw just two voters walk through the doors of the William E. Walker Recreation Center - one of 10 Foster City polling stations – during a 20 minute period this afternoon.

Once the votes are tallied, the shape of Foster City’s five-member City Council and San Mateo-Foster City School District will have new looks. There were three seats up for grabs on the council, and two on the school board.

Measure P would raise Foster City’s transient occupancy tax from 8 to 9 ½ percent, generating approximately $250,000 a year in revenue for a city that’s facing a $2.8 million annual budget shortfall. The measure faces no organized opposition and is expected to pass easily.