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Parish moves to create tourism commission, clarify 2% occupancy tax and RV exemptions
Summary
The Police Jury authorized drafting and advertising an ordinance to create a Cameron Parish Tourism Commission, set the hotel‑motel tax at 2% per state statute, and clarify occupancy‑tax treatment for long‑term RV stays (29+ nights). The jury also authorized a collection agreement for occupancy taxes.
The Cameron Parish Police Jury on July 7 authorized staff to draft and advertise an ordinance to create a formal Cameron Parish Tourism Commission and to clarify occupancy‑tax rules, including how long‑term RV stays are treated.
Staff explained the draft ordinance would formally create the tourism commission (designated as the parish’s tourist promotion agency) and codify that the hotel‑motel tax is set at 2% in accordance with state statute. The draft would also treat overnight camping of 29 consecutive nights or more as long‑term rental and exempt those stays from the occupancy tax; jurors agreed the first 29 days could still be taxed in some scenarios.
Jurors discussed practical details for RVs and long‑term contracts. Staff advised that RV park owners, like hotel owners, would be responsible for collecting and remitting the 2% occupancy tax to the parish. Jurors asked staff to include language addressing occupational licenses and to make exemption conditional on having an occupational license; jurors also directed the attorney (Tom) to draft language and return a final version for the jury’s approval before advertising.
The jury gave staff authority to advertise the ordinance after final review and also granted the president authority to execute a collection agreement to collect occupancy taxes on behalf of the tourism commission.
The transcript records no public objections; jurors asked for a final draft to review before public advertisement. The jury also discussed how the proposed ordinance aligns with draft legislation being considered at the state level, clarifying that the local ordinance work is separate from pending state proposals.
Next steps: staff will prepare a final draft ordinance and present it to the jury for final approval prior to formal advertisement and a public comment period.
