HdL Companies and Civitas Empower Local Governments to Fund Tourism, Ensure Compliance, and Revitalize Communities

BREA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HdL Companies and Civitas, two leading firms serving local governments nationwide, are aligning their expertise to help public sector leaders build, fund, and manage vibrant, compliant, and self-sustaining communities.

With over $4 billion recovered for local agencies and recognition as a GovTech 100 company, HdL Companies brings deep capabilities in revenue management, tax and fee administration, and licensing modernization. Civitas, an internationally recognized consulting law firm, has worked with more than 200 destinations across the U.S., creating legislative pathways for and developing sustainable funding solutions.

While each firm operates independently, recent collaboration efforts illustrate how complementary capabilities can drive impact at the city level.

“Cities, counties, and special districts need partners who can both advise and deliver,” said Andy Nickerson, CEO of HdL Companies. “Our work with Civitas ensures that local leaders have access to complete, trusted solutions—from district formation to tax administration.”

In Santa Barbara County, local vintners recently launched the Santa Barbara Wine Preserve—a Wine Improvement District designed to elevate regional branding and promote wine tourism. After years of stakeholder engagement and consensus-building, the district was approved in early 2025 and began levying a 1% assessment on in-state wine sales to fund marketing and outreach efforts. Civitas led the legal framework and formation strategy, while HdL Companies was selected to administer the collection of fees, ensuring accurate revenue tracking and compliance. This partnership created a sustainable funding model that supports both small and large wineries and serves as a blueprint for other communities seeking to strengthen their local economies through targeted investment.

This kind of behind-the-scenes alignment—where one firm supports policy and district design, and the other ensures operational compliance and financial continuity—is increasingly necessary as local governments face shrinking staff, growing mandates, and complex public-private partnerships.

Both firms are also dedicated to educating public sector leaders beyond their client base. Civitas has independently published several White Papers and has partnered with other industry colleges to provide vital information to the tourism industry. Meanwhile, HdL Companies hosts ongoing consensus forecast webinars and reports, offering practical frameworks for navigating the complexities of fluctuating retail sales tax receipts and aligning stakeholders around sustainable funding.

“This is about helping communities thrive,” affirmed John Lambeth, Founder and CEO at Civitas. “By aligning our efforts where it makes sense, we make it easier for local agencies to pursue bold ideas with confidence.”

About HdL Companies

HdL Companies delivers revenue management, tax and fee administration, economic development, and compliance services to over 900 local government agencies across the U.S. Recognized on the GovTech 100 list, HdL helps agencies uncover hidden revenue, streamline licensing, and improve compliance through full-service solutions. Learn more at hdlcompanies.com.

About Civitas

Civitas is a full-service firm that specializes in developing and advocating for unique tourism and travel promotion funding strategies. They provide non-profit and legal consulting services, legislative support, and help with unique funding solutions for destinations. Working with over 200 destinations worldwide, they are the leading international firm specializing in the research and implementation of tourism-related levies. Learn more at civitasadvisors.com.