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Norman council to pursue ballot language to expand room tax to RVs and consider rate increase to raise funds for parks, legal aid and enforcement
Summary
Council directed staff to draft ballot language (first reading in January) to add recreational vehicle spaces to the guest‑room tax and to propose an increase (options discussed up to 10%) for the April election; council debated dedicating a portion for parks, right‑to‑counsel legal aid or the general fund, and asked for revenue and implementation details.
City staff presented possible amendments to Norman’s guest‑room (room/visitor) tax, including adding recreational vehicle (RV) spaces and proposing an increase above the current 8% rate. Catherine (city staff) said she drafted example ballot language and that the council previously directed adding RVs to enable collection when spaces are rented.
Staff provided background on parks capital needs and how current room‑tax receipts have been used for capital projects, noting that a portion of room tax revenue has been used to support Visit Norman, sports tourism and the arts. The room tax is currently 8%; staff and council compared Norman with neighboring cities that have raised rates to 9.25% and discussed a possible increase up to 10%.
Councilors raised options for how to allocate new revenue: dedicate a portion of any increase to parks capital, put a small dedicated slice toward a proposed right‑to‑counsel legal aid program, or place additional revenue into the general fund for discretionary use. Councilor Grama said she was “okay with going up to 10%” and suggested a 0.25% set aside might support legal aid. Legal staff and Catherine reminded the council that changing the authorized uses of the tax would require ballot language and, if approved by voters, contract amendments with Visit Norman and the Norman Arts Council to reflect any new split.
Councilors also discussed administrative impacts: the city currently retains 4% for administration of the tax and staff warned that adding short‑term rentals and RV collections could increase collection complexity and costs. Staff recommended refining language with stakeholders (hoteliers, Visit Norman) and bringing a first reading in January so the council could ask voters in April 2026; staff proposed an effective date of July 1, 2026 if voters approve.
The council generally supported directing staff to refine language and gather hotelier/Visit Norman feedback before formal readings; no final ordinance vote occurred during the study session.
