Amador County – The Amador County Board of Supervisors directed staff to look at whether a “Tourist Tax” on hotels and motels could be levied on campgrounds on state, federal and utility special district lands that are run by concessionaires.

Supervisor John Plasse said if the county is not able to charge a Transient Occupancy Tax on state, federal and utility camp sites, then Supervisors would be “giving private camp sites another disadvantage.” Supervisors considered a request by several business groups to place a ballot measure to increase the TOT tax on hotels and motels, from 6 percent to 10 percent. The groups asked to apply the tax to campgrounds, which are now not taxed by the county TOT.

Jennifer McGee of the County Counsel’s office said the “transient” definition by state law means visitors staying for less than 30 days are subject to the TOT tax. People staying in cabins for the summer would not be subject to TOT tax if they stay longer than 30 days.

Plasse asked County Counsel Gregg Gillott if the county could apply TOT tax to state, federal and water district campsites if they are run by a concessionaire. Gillot said he was not sure if any are run by concessionaires.

Supervisor Vice Chairman Richard Forster said the concessionaire of East Bay Municipal Utility District told him it is a very competitive market and people shop around and go to the lake with a little bit lower camping rate.

Supervisor Ted Novelli said he heard from Roaring Camp operators concerned about their cabins. Plasse said visitors staying 30 days or more are considered not transient. Gillott said Roaring Camp already collects TOT.

Gillott said he would inventory the state, federal and utility campgrounds in the county to see about operators there. The issue will be brought back for the June 12 meeting. Novelli said they “might have other business people come down to the next meeting to give input.” Language for a ballot measure would be considered on June 26.

In public comment, Terry Nielsen said taxing camping is an expansion of who pays taxes, and why tax people who bring their own shelter? He said why follow Tuolumne’s lead in trying to close the loophole? Amador “can advertise that camping is freer here.”

Novelli said some of that is correct, but with five cities in Amador “all over the map,” with different TOT rates, it gives some an advantage over others. He would like to have them all on the same chart.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.