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Home kitchen fees waived through March

Home kitchen fees waived through March

By Brittney Sherman

In March 2023, the Micro Enterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO) ordinance and permit fees were adopted by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, authorizing home-based retail food facilities. Under this program, food is prepared, cooked and served from a private residence at a maximum of 90 meals per week. Due to recent fee relief, the MEHKO application ($435) and permit ($635) fees have been waived through March 2024.

Program History: In January 2019, AB 262 authorized individuals to operate restaurants out of their private residences. In September 2022, SB 972 approved MEHKO operators to expand their offerings by collaborating with no more than two Compact Mobile Food Operators for sidewalk vendor sales. In 2023, AB 1325 adjusted the MEKHOS annual gross income cap to $100,000 and expanded the weekly meals to no more than 90.

Learn more about the MEHKO program HERE.

 
Do you qualify for commercial property tax relief?

Do you qualify for commercial property tax relief?

By Brittney Sherman

According to the Santa Clara County Assessor’s Office, in 2022 the number of Prop. 8 declines in value assessments were 2,595. That number increased more than 600% in 2023. Of the 17,000 assessments found to be proactively red last year, 28% of them were commercial properties. As a result, the Assessor’s Office has announced they will open the informal Prop 8 review process 4 months early beginning February 16, 2024.

As of January 1, if property market value falls below the existing tax assessment signaling declining market conditions, the County Assessor is obligated to temporarily reduce the assessed value. Due to the anticipated influx of Prop 8 commercial property relief requests, the review process has been opened early to facilitate timely and accurate appraisals and reduce the number of costly appeals.

Learn more HERE.

 
Local wineries earn "gold"

Local wineries earn "gold"

By Brittney Sherman

Over 1,000 wineries competed in this year’s prestigious San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the largest in Northern California. Of the 5,700 total entries, the following South Santa Clara County Wineries made it on the podium: Guglielmo, Kirigin Cellars, Little Uvas, Martin Ranch, Moose Mountain, P&V, Sarah’s Vineyard and Solis.

Read the full article in the Morgan Hill Times HERE.

 
Popular trail expands by 3,600 acres

Popular trail expands by 3,600 acres

By Brittney Sherman

With 87,000 acres at Henry Coe State Park and an additional 58 trails covering 585 miles, Morgan Hill has already become a preferred location for hiking and biking enthusiasts alike. The Conservation Fund’s recent purchase of the Richmond Ranch will expand the existing Bay Area Trail more than 3,600 acres. This land acquisition will act as a bridge, connecting the East Foothills, Coyote Valley, and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Upon approval by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, the Santa Clara County Department of Parks will be handed the land, which they will co-manage alongside Valley Habitat Agency.

Read the full Morgan Hill Times article HERE.

 
Morgan Hill generates 2% sales tax growth in Q3

Morgan Hill generates 2% sales tax growth in Q3

By Brittney Sherman

Morgan Hill’s 3rd quarter 2023 sales tax results showed 2% growth, while the Bay Area and California were down 3% and 1.6% respectively. Morgan HIll’s major contributors were from the Auto/Transportation, Food/Drug, Building/Construction and Business/Industry sectors. The City’s top 25 sales tax producing businesses grew a collective 17%, accounting for approximately 61% of all sales tax revenue generated into the General Fund.

Read the 2-page shareable report HERE.

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