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Council adopts higher Florida Parishes Arena fees despite equine organizers’ objections
Summary
The Tangipahoa Parish Council on Oct. 14 adopted TP Ordinance 25-26 to increase operating fees at the Florida Parishes Arena and Event Center; an equine and cattle-sorting organizer warned the changes could push equine events elsewhere.
The Tangipahoa Parish Council adopted TP Ordinance 25-26 on Oct. 14, amending operating fees for the Florida Parishes Arena and Event Center. The ordinance passed by roll call vote; councilors voted 9-0 in favor.
At a public hearing before the adoption, Troy Crane of the 3 Dots Sorting Association told the council the fee changes would make it difficult for his group to continue using the arena. “We haul in 60 to a 110 cattle for our show,” Crane said. He said the proposed fee schedule effectively adds a separate day charge for the evening before an event, when livestock are penned overnight, and that the new rates would roughly double what some organizers currently pay. “We can’t … double their rent,” he told the council, adding that the association brought in significant revenue to the parish when it previously ran events at the arena.
Council President Robbie Miller and members of the fee committee said they considered multiple options before recommending the increase, citing rising operational costs for the facility. Miller told Crane the committee “looked at every possible way” to balance affordability and the arena’s fiscal needs and noted the ordinance includes provisions that allow event users to generate revenue from stall fees and RV site rentals.
Miller also said events already booked for next year would remain at last year’s rates; new bookings under the updated schedule will be charged the revised fees. He clarified the arena may be made available to Entergy during an emergency declaration; when Entergy uses the facility during a declared emergency, prior scheduling may be interrupted.
The motion to adopt was made by Councilman Senagra and seconded by Councilman Engraffio. The roll call was unanimous. Miller said the committee intentionally included fee categories such as stall and RV fees to give users ways to offset costs.
Why it matters: The Arena hosts equine and livestock shows that bring visitors and tourism dollars to the parish. Organizers warned the higher operating fees could shift events to other venues, while parish leaders said the increases are needed to keep the facility operating amid rising maintenance and staffing costs.
