Orange County Almanac

The national trend of leasing instead of buying new cars appears to be bad news for cities who rely on auto dealers to generate tax revenue.

Concern is especially high in Huntington Beach, with its Beach Boulevard row of car dealerships.

Several studies found that Huntington Beach may be losing $500,000 to $1 million a year in tax revenue because of consumer desires to lease instead of buy. Car leases provide cities with less sales and use taxes.

In Orange County, nearly 50% of all car transactions are financed through leasing arrangements.

Huntington Beach officials are completing a report on the issue, which will be presented to the City Council.

Today

The Placentia Chamber of Commerce is getting a jump on the holiday party rush.

The group will hold a pre-Thanksgiving mixer at the International House of Pancakes, 131 N. Kraemer Blvd.

Chamber officials said the meeting will give business people a chance to meet and talk with their peers.

The mixer runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The restaurant is at Kraemer Boulevard and Chapman Avenue. Information: (714) 528-7838.