Port Arthur City Council Approves Legal Action Against Holiday Inn for Tax Collection

Port Arthur City Council took decisive action during a special executive meeting on August 26, 2025, by approving a motion to pursue legal action against the Holiday Inn Port Arthur Park Central for unpaid hotel occupancy taxes. The council authorized the city attorney to initiate necessary steps to collect the outstanding taxes owed by the hotel, located at 2929 Jimmy Johnson Boulevard.

The meeting began with a formal invocation and roll call, confirming a quorum of council members present. Following the opening, the council moved into a closed session to discuss various legal matters, including the hotel tax issue and the valuation of several properties within the city.

Upon returning from the executive session, the council swiftly addressed the hotel tax matter. The motion to authorize legal action was moved by Council Member Dusett and seconded by Council Member Everfield, receiving unanimous support from the council members present.

This decision underscores the city’s commitment to ensuring compliance with tax obligations, which is crucial for maintaining public services and infrastructure. The council's proactive approach reflects a broader strategy to enhance revenue collection and support the city's financial health.

As the council closed the executive session, they reaffirmed their dedication to serving the citizens of Port Arthur, emphasizing the importance of accountability in local governance. The next steps will involve the city attorney's office executing the approved legal actions to recover the owed taxes, which could significantly impact the city's budget and resources moving forward.